A RARE GEORGE III GILT METAL MOUNTED MAHOGANY SECRETAIRE CABINET ATTRIBUTED TO MAYHEW AND INCE circa 1770

the rectangular top with canted corners and a molded edge above a cross banded fall front centered by a panel within beading with canted corners, opening to a baize lined writing surface and fitted with small drawers and pigeon holes, above three cock beaded long graduated drawers, above a shaped apron continuing to slightly splayed legs, retaining the original gilt brass mounts, the corners with scallop shells above pendant graduated husks, the ring handles with trails of laurel leaves, the carrying handles with flower-head pierced back plates, and the sabots with cabochon, scroll and foliate pierced decoration.  The reverse with a printed label ...UREY BROS / ...UNLEY STREET DEPOSITORIES / SOUTHSEA / NAME MRS. SAREL / NO. 107671 DATE 11.1.54.

Henry Duke and Son, Fine Art Auctioneers, Dorchester, Dorset, 2000

Overall good condition, the side panels with some infilled vertical age cracks and some veneer patches, the fall front with inpainted horizontal age crack, the fitted interior drawers with mahogany drawer linings, the underside with some later blocks, some minor wear to ormolu mounts, overall with old marks, scratches, stains, scuffs and bruises consistent with age and use.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Finely conceived in well-figured mahogany, this diminutive secretaire may be attributed to the workshops of John Mayhew (1736-d.1811) and William Ince (d. 1804) whose partnership, 1785/59 -1804, 'Was one of the most significant, probably the longest lived but, as far as identified furniture is concerned, the least well documented of any of the major London cabinetmakers of the 18^th Century' (Beard and Gilbert, Dictionary of English Furniture Makers 1660-1840, 1986, pp. 589-593). An attribution to the partnership is cemented by the unusual  shell and pendant husk ornaments found on the canted corners which are found, both in carved wood and metal, on other pieces of case furniture commonly attributed to the partnership. Similar in carved wood are found on a George III secretaire in yew wood with ebonized detail, sold Christie's, New York, October 26. 1986, lot 139, and a pair of George III mahogany Urns and Pedestals, from the Collection of Lily and Edmond J. Safra, sold Sotheby's, New York, November 3, 2006, lot 132. Gilt-metal examples include a marquetry Commode from the Collection of Prince Littler, sold Christie's, London, sale on the premises, Chesham Park, Sussex, April 18-19, 1977, lot  182, and  a yew wood and satinwood marquetry inlaid commode, sold Sotheby's, London, November 18, 1994, lot 104. Beard and Gilbert, op. cit., note that 'Much of the firm's most expensive cabinet-work was enriched with ormolu mounts and as they are known to have had a fruitful business relationship with Boulton and Fothergill...- and they were apparently the only cabinet-making firm to do so - it seems likely that many (and certainly the best) of their mounts came from Soho'.