Bonhams
Lot 249
A late Victorian ebony, palmwood and ivory inlaid display cabinetprobably by Gillow and Co. or Lamb of ManchesterWith ivory stringing, the central bevelled glass inset astragal glazed door enclosing two shelves, flanked by a pair of twin raised panelled quarter veneered and tablet inlaid doors, each enclosing one shelf, above a Greek key inlaid frieze, over a central bevelled glass inset astragal glazed door, enclosing one shelf, flanked by two raised panelled tablet inlaid and roundel centred doors, interspersed throughout with reeded pilasters, the Chubb lock plates stamped with serial numbers and also stamped: 'CHUBB PATENT, 128 QUEEN VICTORIA ST., ST. PAUL'S, LONDON', 110cm wide x 36cm deep x 172cm high, (43in wide x 14in deep x 67 1/2in high)Footnotes:ProvenanceThe offered lot previously belonged to the grandfather of the current owner and vendor. And it is thought by family repute that the great grandfather, Sir Charles Alexander Innes KCSI CIE(1874-1959), originally acquired this display cabinet at the end of the 19th century. Both of these forebears lived and worked in colonial India and Burma, where they were evidently central figures in the administrative running of the British Empire overseas.It seems highly likely that the present piece remained in imperial India until the country gained its independence in 1947, from which time onwards the cabinet evidently permanently returned to England with the family.Sir Charles Alexander InnesCharles Alexander Innes, who was born in Secunderabad, Hyderabad, went on to pass the Indian Civil Service exam in 1897 following an education at Merchant Taylors' School and St. John's College, Oxford. Charles travelled to the Madras Presidency where he was employed as a settlement officer in Malabar, in which capacity he also supplied material for The Imperial Gazetteer of India. Then he took up the role of Deputy Secretary to the Indian government. By 1916 Innes had been elected Director of Industries and Controller of Munitions in Madras. After World War I, Innes was appointed Foodstuffs Commissioner with the Indian government. In 1920, as secretary in the Commerce Department, one of his additional responsibilities was to oversee the functioning of the railways. During the following year, Charles Alexander was made Head of the Commerce Department. Two highlights from the period of his term were: the partition of the general finance budget from the railways budget and the foundation of a policy known as 'discriminating protection', the latter of which granted India more self-determination in the area of fiscal policy.The establishment of a Tariff Board of inquiries, which was of massive assistance to the rapidly expanding steel and iron industries in India, was also a policy accredited to Innes. This in turn set up the system which subsequently provided major support in terms of both arming and bolstering the allied forces during World War II. Having been honoured with the position of Governor of Burma in 1927, he went on to serve as such until 1932. Ultimately Charles Alexander was chairman of the Mercantile Bank of India between 1938 and 1952, after initially joining the Bank's board in 1933.Among the most significant distinctions bestowed upon Innes throughout his life were; Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire (1919 Birthday Honours) for services during the war; Companion of the Order of the Star of India (1921 Birthday Honours); and Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India (1924 New Year Honours).In 1900 Sir Charles, who was actually descended from the Inneses of Drainie, married Agatha Rosalie, who was the daughter of Colonel Kenlie Stevenson of the Indian Army. Together they had four sons and one daughter. Their daughter Rosalie married Thomas Wynford Rees, the latter being Charles Alexander's private secretary during Innes's tenure as Governor of Burma. During much of his career Rees served as a highly decorated officer in the British Indian Army but eventually progressed to attain the rank of Major General.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Alexander_InnesThe item within this lot containing ivory has been registered in accordance with the Ivory Act (Section 10). Ref AQ698FPU.This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: TP Y ФTP Lot will be moved to an offsite storage location (Cadogan Tate, Auction House Services, 241 Acton Lane, London NW10 7NP, UK) and will only be available for collection from this location at the date stated in the catalogue. Please note transfer and storage charges will apply to any lots not collected after 14 calendar days from the auction date.Y Subject to CITES regulations when exporting items outside of the EU, see clause 13.Ф This lot contains or is made of ivory and cannot be imported into the USA or any country within the EU.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
