A fine and rare pair of George III part ebonized inlaid mahogany specimen marble top standing corner shelves attributed to Mayhew and Ince Circa 1770

Probably commissioned by Brownlow Cecil, 9^th Earl of Exeter (1725-1793) from Mayhew and Ince, possibly for his London residence 41 Lower Grosvenor Street

Overall good restored condition; the first with restored breaks to the marble top and with infilled repaired breaks and chips to the molded edge; the commode with some minor old worm to the top of the carcass; inpainting and losses to the tear-drop inlaid pieces to the scalloped aprons; small loss to veneer above front right leg; the other with old repaired break to front right corner with infilling to the underside; the molded edge with old repaired breaks and with some infilled chips and losses; the carcass with areas of old worm to the top with some losses; small triangular patches to tips of two scalloped edges of top apron and to three scalloped edges of bottom apron; the middle apron with an age crack at join with right leg; wear and losses to the ebonized surface in places and now with some inpainting especially to the scalloped edges; two small patches to the left edge. Overall with some restorations and replacements to the ebonized inlay around the uprights and aprons; some small age cracks and shrinkage to the veneers; scratches and wear to the marble top with some small chips to the edges.
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.

The present pair of corner shelves is likely en suite with the suite, comprising a pair of identical corner shelves and matching side tables, located in the Marble Room at Burghley House and thought to have been commissioned by Brownlow Cecil, 9^th Earl of Exeter from Mayhew and Ince, the earl's only cabinet makers between 1758 and 1778.  As in the present lot, the tables and shelves incorporate identical Italian specimen marble tops, which the 9^th Earl brought back from Italy on one of his grand tours, in 1763 or in 1768.  It is interesting to note that the 9^th Earl gave a lava marble top to the British Museum in 1764 after returning from his first trip to Italy.  It is unlikely that this suite was ordered for Burghley House; instead it is probable that the suite was ordered for the earl's London house at 41 Lower Grosvenor Street.  It is not know when the suite was moved to Burghley.  The earliest possible reference may be '2 Wallnuttree quoins with Inlaid Marble tops', which appears in the 1804 inventory in the 'Japan Closet' at Burghley.  However, whilst the two side tables from the suite are illustrated in the Marble Room in drawings of the interior of the house executed by Lady Sophia Pierrepont between 1817 and 1818, the corner shelves appear to be lacking.  Furthermore, the present corner shelves do not seem to feature in the house sales of 1888 or in the 1950s.

Sotheby's would like to thank Jon Culverhouse, Curator, Burghley House for his help in preparing this footnote.