A George III mahogany and parcel gilt bureau cabinet circa 1770, in the manner of Giles Grendey and possibly by Gillows

the upper section with three adjustable shelves and ten small drawers, mirror plates replaced

Refinished condition. Gilding refreshed. Some old marks to teh plates. The backs to both doors with age cracks. The flap slightly warped with veneers lifting, particularly to top left hand corner. Front right foot loose. Old marks scratches. Some warping to veneer to right hand side of drawers.
"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 Gothic mouldings to the cornice on the present lot are of identical form to those on a mahognany wardrobe linen press supplied by Gillows to Richard Clowes in 1772, sold Sotheby's London, 6 June 2006, lot 274 and illustrated in Susan Stuart, Gillows of Lancaster and London, 1730, 1840, 2008, 2 vols., Vol. II, p. 61, pl. 607

It is possible that Gillows drew inspiration for their design from another leading London furniture maker Giles Grendey. In particular the architectural form of this cabinet with its dentil cornice and shaped mirror plates is related to a number of labelled examples, in mahogany and with japanned decoration by Grendey (b. 1693-d.1780), of Aylesbury House, St. John's Square, Clerkenwell. He appears to have been one of the most prolific 'Cabinet-Maker and Chair-Makers' working in London. His business was obviously substantial and, although few documents have survived detailing his commissions and clients, a large number of pieces retain his trade label, allowing other pieces to be attributed to him on stylistic grounds. He is recorded as having an extensive export, one of his notable commissions being for the Duke of Infantando, Lazcano, Spain, some eighty pieces of scarlet and gold japanned furniture having survived at the Castle until the 1930s. Many of these retained his trade label, and others were stamped with the initials of his workmen, some traceable to his recorded apprentices (See Christopher Gilbert, Pictorial Dictionary of Marked London Furniture, Leeds, 1996, pp. 31, 32, and pp. 240, 241, figs. 432, 433). A related mahogany bureau cabinet sold Sotheby's New York, 24 April 2008, lot 26.