A Queen Anne stained field maple 'mulberry-wood', boxwood and ebony strung bureau-cabinet circa 1710, in the manner of Coxed and Woster

with a foliate verre églomisé panel to the broken arch cornice, the upper section with bevelled glass doors opening to reveal an interior with simulated painted  decoration, a central cupboard, divisons and small drawers, the fall opening to reveal a fiited interior with pigeonholes and small drawers arranged around a central cupboard, probably originally with a cartouche centering the pediment

Possibly commissioned by Sir John Philipps, 4^th Baronet, (1660-1736) for Picton Castle, Pembrokeshire, and thence by descent.

An impressive piece. The cornice with fracture from age, notable to the upper right side. Some losses to veneers on raised areas. Verre egolmise panel with some losses to painted decoration. The mirror plates with distress. Interior generally good. The lower section with losses to moulded decoration and veneers around drawers. The top right drawer with lifting to veneers. There are very old splits to the timber consistent with age. This piece has great visual impact. Most of the condition issues are result of its great age.
"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."

Picton Castle has belonged to the baronets Philipps since the mid-15^th century and throughout the 18th and 19^th centuries they became one of the most influential families in Pembrokeshire, whose power extended over many aspects of local life. With their vast estates and philanthropic support of the Charity School Movement, they supplied Pembrokeshire with sheriffs, justices of the peace, lord lieutenants and members of Parliament for several generations. In consequence, Picton Castle became a focus of local social and cultural life throughout this period. Samuel Lewis' Topographical Dictionary of Wales, 1833, contains an extensive account of the building, describing it as 'a noble and spacious mansion of considerable antiquity; and though it has undergone some alterations and received several additions, to adapt it more for the purpose of modern residence, it still preserves much of its original character of a fortress'.

Although no eighteenth century bills, accounts and inventories of the contents of the castle have so far come to light, it is likely that this bureau-cabinet was commissioned for the castle by Sir John Philipps, 4^th Baronet (1660-1736). Sir John was the first member of the Philipps family to make a noticeable impact on the castle, his fortunate marriage to Mary, daughter of Anthony Smith, a rich East India merchant, enabled some improvements to the building. In 1697 Sir John pulled down part of the curtain wall, built the terrace and created a main entrance at first-floor level. He also built an extra storey above the great hall, altered windows and possibly wainscotted the rooms in the North East Tower. It is possible that he introduced the bureau-cabinet in the years following these alterations.

The present bureau cabinet is finely veneered in burr maple, a wood often used by John Coxed (fl. 1711-1718) and later Grace Coxed and Thomas Woster (fl. 1719-1735). Trading from the White Swan workshop, St. Paul's Churchyard, the firm labelled their furniture: 'At the White Swan in St. Paul's Church-Yard, London; makes and sells Cabinets, Book-Cases, Chests of Drawers, Scrutores [sic]; and Looking-glasses of all sorts at reasonable Rates'. Adam Bowett, Furniture History, 'Labelled Furniture from the White Swan Workshop (1711-1735)', vol. XXXIX, 2003, pp. 71-98, cautions: '... it must be emphasised that the use of stained burr maple veneers, with or without crossbanding and stringing, does not on its own constitute adequate proof of (Coxed and Woster's) authorship. The technique of staining veneers in this way was widely practised, and scores of pieces survive which otherwise bear no relation, either technically or stylistically, to the White Swan oeuvre.'