A George II Scarlet and Gold Japanned Bureau Cabinet Attributed to Giles Grendey, Circa 1740
Property from a West Coast Collection
A George II Scarlet and Gold Japanned Bureau Cabinet attributed to Giles Grendey, Circa 1740
restorations to lacquer; feet and vase finial later; back of lower section inscribed Madrid in ink; one bevelled mirror plate etched FACE in the silvering
height 96 in.; width 44 in.; depth 23 in.
243.8 cm; 111.8 cm; 58.4 cm
Condition Report:
This magnificent bureau cabinet is well presented, structurally sound and retains a significant proportion of its original gilt-japanned decoration, with areas of retouching, as well as enhancement to the scarlet ground. Under blacklight examination there is very little fluorescence on the surfaces, with most retouching visible under normal light. Retouching is most visible in the faces of the figures and horses on the front and interior of the slant front, and the animals on the sides. Areas of darkening and discolouration to the surface decoration primarily along the moulded edges along top and base of the bureau section and lower edge of cabinet and cornice mouldings, all consistent with the age of the work.
A few scattered losses and chips to surface decoration revealing bare wood underneath. Two horizontal age cracks on either side of slant front, and typical old repaired vertical age splits on sides of bureau and inside panels of cabinet doors and one horizontal age crack on side of bureau, with areas of infill and retouching. These do not fluoresce under black light and appear to be repairs of long date. As stated, finial replaced, and some replacement to cornice mouldings, primarily on proper right side and central finial pedestal. Also as stated, bracket feet are not original and replace Georgian style bun feet (also not original) visible in photograph of the cabinet in 1984.
Interiors of drawers and pigeonholes with later red painted decoration. Possibly originally with additional folio slides. Hinges and locks replaced; lock on cabinet door is incomplete. Brass drawer handles and escutcheons apparently original; re-lacquered with traces of earlier gilt lacquering underneath. Brass keyhole cover to escutcheon on slant front likely replaced. Mirror plates have been re-silvered, and as stated one is etched behind with the word FACE. One shorter drawer of bureau is locked. Three keys.
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Property from a West Coast Collection
A George II Scarlet and Gold Japanned Bureau Cabinet attributed to Giles Grendey, Circa 1740
restorations to lacquer; feet and vase finial later; back of lower section inscribed Madrid in ink; one bevelled mirror plate etched FACE in the silvering
height 96 in.; width 44 in.; depth 23 in.
243.8 cm; 111.8 cm; 58.4 cm
Condition Report:
This magnificent bureau cabinet is well presented, structurally sound and retains a significant proportion of its original gilt-japanned decoration, with areas of retouching, as well as enhancement to the scarlet ground. Under blacklight examination there is very little fluorescence on the surfaces, with most retouching visible under normal light. Retouching is most visible in the faces of the figures and horses on the front and interior of the slant front, and the animals on the sides. Areas of darkening and discolouration to the surface decoration primarily along the moulded edges along top and base of the bureau section and lower edge of cabinet and cornice mouldings, all consistent with the age of the work.
A few scattered losses and chips to surface decoration revealing bare wood underneath. Two horizontal age cracks on either side of slant front, and typical old repaired vertical age splits on sides of bureau and inside panels of cabinet doors and one horizontal age crack on side of bureau, with areas of infill and retouching. These do not fluoresce under black light and appear to be repairs of long date. As stated, finial replaced, and some replacement to cornice mouldings, primarily on proper right side and central finial pedestal. Also as stated, bracket feet are not original and replace Georgian style bun feet (also not original) visible in photograph of the cabinet in 1984.
Interiors of drawers and pigeonholes with later red painted decoration. Possibly originally with additional folio slides. Hinges and locks replaced; lock on cabinet door is incomplete. Brass drawer handles and escutcheons apparently original; re-lacquered with traces of earlier gilt lacquering underneath. Brass keyhole cover to escutcheon on slant front likely replaced. Mirror plates have been re-silvered, and as stated one is etched behind with the word FACE. One shorter drawer of bureau is locked. Three keys.
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