An early George III tortoiseshell, brass mounted and rosewood table cabinet circa 1760

the brass line inlaid top above a pair of doors enclosing an arrangement of three long and four short mahogany lined drawers surrounding a central cupboard door revealing three secret drawers, on a blind arcaded plinth with ebony mouldings, now on a modern giltwood stand

Overall good restored condition. Two repaired patches to right side of the top. Some further small characteristic age cracks and repairs. Small indentations to brass mounts throughout. Slight integral cracking to tortoiseshell veneers and minor discolouration. Small replacement to lower moulding on corner of foot. Minor old marks and scratches. Overall exceptionally fine construction and quality. Rare example of tortoiseshell veneers in Engish furniture
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The cornice of a bureau cabinet with provenance from Glypton Park and now in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, which shares a very similar combination of tortoisehell and brass inlay with  padouk crossbandings is illustrated in C. Gilbert and T. Murdoch, John Channon and Brass-Inlaid Furniture 1730-1760, 1993, pl. 47.  The Glympton cabinet is identified by Gilbert and Murdoch as exhibiting certain features which are markedly Germanic in character and consequently allow it to be associated with the Anglo-German cabinet-making circle of John Channon. Such analysis therefore suggests the possibility that similar associations may be deduced for the present lot which also features the paradox of continental attributes such as tortoiseshell veneers allied to apparently English cabinet work. 

John Channon (1711-1779) was of German extraction and members of his circle including Frederick Hintz belonged to the devout Moravian religious community who maintained close links with their native country. Furthermore one of the leading German exponents of brass-inlaid furniture was Abraham Roentgen who is recorded as a journeyman in London by 1733, six years before Channon moved to the capital. It is probable that he developed his skills as a brass-inlayer whilst situated in the centre of the long established metal-working trades during his apprenticeship with the Clerkenwell cabinet-maker William Gomm. Indeed it is feasible that Roentgen transferred his newly acquired brass inlaying techniques to Germany as hitherto engraved ivory decoration was more prevalent in that country (see Joseph Maria Greber, Abraham and David Roentgen, Möbel fur Europa, 2 Vols., Starnbert 1980.). Likewise Roentgen would have doubtless contributed to the dissemination of German influence in English cabinet-making at that time. Interestingly his son David described himself as an `English cabinet-maker' and offered mahogany furniture with `English locks and gilt ormolu'. An example of German cabinet-work in the English Idiom is offered by a burr walnut bureau-cabinet, circa 1735 attributed to Peter Hoese, sold Sotheby's London, The Ronald A. Lee Collection, 28 November 2001, lot 138 which also features the use of tortoiseshell veneers and brass mounts of a similar quality to those here. Another important factor in the contraflow of ideas between English and German cabinet-work during the first half of the 18th century would be the firm connections George I had with Hanover where he preferred to reside.