Dreweatts 1759
Lot 177
A George I black lacquer and gilt japanned hanging bowfront corner cupboard, circa 1720, attributed to John Belchier, the upper superstructure and small shelf, above a pair of doors decorated with figures, traditional architecture and a spray of flowers, 106cm high, 62cm wide, 41cm deep The composition of the decoration and the quality of its execution would suggest attribution to John Belchier. The overall design including the specific placement of the elements, such as the figures at the base of the design, alongside the fine quality of the depiction of small details such as birds bears close relation to an example bearing Belchier s trade label, see Christopher Gilbert, Marked London Furniture, 1700-1840 , Furniture History Society, 1996, page 83, fig.62. For the same example illustrated in colour see Adam Bowett, Early Georgian Furniture 1715-1740 , Antique Collectors Club, 2009, page 128, plate 3:66 John Belchier was first recorded at The Sun, St Paul's Church Yard, in 1717 where he stayed until his death in 1753. His most significant documented commission was at Erddig. Belchier owes his high reputation to a distinguished series of bureau cabinets decorated in green or scarlet japanning or veneered with fine cuts of burr walnut.
