A George III mahogany and padouk serpentine cabinet on chest

possibly attributable to Wright and Elwick

The upper part of stepped form with an astragal glazed door flanked by smaller panelled doors each enclosing six pigeon holes and four graduated short drawers, surmounted by a overhanging drop-pendant and dentil moulded cornice above pierced fret carved crestings with foliate scroll work and acanthus carved turned and fluted acorn topped finials, the lower part with a serpentine moulded edge top above a fitted drawer with a sliding baize lined writing surface enclosing a ratcheted dressing mirror and various compartments and divisions above three graduated drawers, on shaped and moulded bracket feet, restorations, 106cm wide, 60cm deep, 210.5cm high.



This cabinet on chest or dressing cabinet is almost identical to an example at Fairfax House, York which forms part of the Noel Terry collection of furniture and clocks which resides there.Their dressing cabinet was formerly the property of R.M.Broadhead, Esq., Ockwells Manor, Berks then subsequently with Hotspur, London in 1977 (see P.Brown, The Noel Terry Collection of Furniture & Clocks at Fairfax House, York, York Civic Trust, fig 43 and illustrated Connoisseur, June, 1966, p.L1.)



See Thomas Chippendale's 1754 Director, pl. LXIX for a library bookcase with stepped breakfront cabinet and similar glazing pattern.