A George II mahogany bureau cabinet circa 1750, attributed to Giles Grendey

the top with an egg and dart and dentil carved cornice above a pair of doors with inset shaped  mirrors and enclosing adjustable shelves, the lower section with a fitted interior of a central mirrored cupboard enclosing a drawer and a secret compartment to the base flanked by two further secret drawers faced with carved column ornament, twelve drawers and eight pigeonholes, with two short and three long drawers below above a foliate and gadroon-carved apron, on hairy claw feet

Comparative Literature: R. W. Symonds, `In Search of Giles Grendey', Country Life, November 30, 1951, 1792-4.

This piece is in overall good condition.There is some minor patching to the top of the doors of the top section. There are age cracks to the sides, top and base which have been filled and do not detract. Very nice brass handles. Colour good. A pice of exceptional quality in good condition. To be recommended.
"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 form and quality of this bureau cabinet are consistent with the work of the leading London cabinet-maker Giles Grendey (1693-1750). Grendey of Aylesbury House, St. John`s Square, Clerkenwell, was described at the time of his wife`s death as a `great dealer in the Cabinet way', and furhter  when his daughter married the Royal Cabinet-maker, John Cobb, as an `eminent Timber Merchant'. Apprenticed in 1709, Grendey, who was born in Wotton-under-Edge in Gloucestershire, became a freeman in 1716, by 1726 taking apprentices into his employ. After his marriage in 1720, he became a freeman of the City of London and was elected to the Livery of the Joiner`s Company in 1729. A contemporary account of a disastrous fire at his premises on 3rd August 1731 was reported in various newspapers including The Daily Courant, The Daily Journal and The Daily Post.   In these, Grendey was described as a `Cabinet-Maker and Chair- maker' whose losses included furinture to the cvalue of £1000. Although it is obvious that Grendey`s business was considerable, only a small number of documents exist recording the names of his clients and the extent of their commissions. These include Richard Hoare of Barn Elms, Surrey whose bill dated 1723 included a chest of drawers, a `Burow Table', dressing glasses, chimney glasses, and a `Wrighting Disk', further acquiring in 1732 wall sconces, gold frames for glasses, tables and a chest. One of his most important commissions was a large group of scarlet japanned furniture supplied to the Duke of Infantado, Lazcano Palace, Spain. Comprising some seventy seven pieces, including chairs, tables, mirrors tripod stands, the suite also included a bureau bookcase of remarkable similarity to the present example.

 The distinctive shaped panels to the upper section are of a type found on numerous pieces associated with Grendey, including a japanned bureau cabinet bearing Grendey`s label, illustated in Ralph Edwards and Margaret Jourdain, Georgian Cabinet Makers, rev.ed.,  1946, p.107, fig. 45: a mahogany cupboard, again bearing Grendey`s label, illustated in Edwards and Jourdain, op. cit., p. 107, fig. 46;  for further comparison see also Christopher Gilbert, Pictorial Pictionary of Marked London Furniture 1700-1840, 1996, pp.240-241 and 247; and another japanned bureau cabinet, attributed to Grendey, sold Christie`s New York, 21st April 1995, lot 375.  A related example was sold sold Sotheby`s London, Important English Furniture  7th July 1995, lot 37. and again a further related example sold Sotheby`s New York, October 18th 2006, lot 36.