A fine William and Mary walnut cabinet

Originally from the private collection formed at Barrow Court in Barrow Gurney, having been acquired from Saville House in Bath, we have Lot 22, this fine William & Mary cabinet. Dating from circa 1690, this rare cabinet on chest exemplifies the finest London made walnut furniture of the period.

The cabinet making is of a very high standard, using choice burr and figured walnut veneers onto an oak frame, with fine oak drawers linings, with both cross-banding and feather-banded decoration. One of the remarkable features is its original bevelled and decorated Vauxhall mirror plates. Widely considered the most prestigious glass works of the period, the Vauxhall plate glass factory was founded by George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham in the second half of the 17th century. Surviving examples of these mirror plates are rare and have a warm mercury silvering and attractive patina.

A George III carved giltwood wall mirror

From a private collection in Surrey, we have Lot 205, this George III carved giltwood wall mirror, dating to circa 1770. The impressive scale of this mirror, at over 1.8 metres tall, is sure to make a statement in any interior. It is intricately carved with floral foliate scrolls, swags, gadrooning and surmounted with a classical urn. This Georgian neoclassical design bears many decorative features also seen in drawings made by Robert Adam for the remodelling of Kenwood House, Hampstead, for the Earls of Mansfield.

A Maltese specimen marble mounted and olivewood pedestal table

From Day Two of the auction, we have Lot 394, a Maltese specimen marble mounted and olivewood pedestal table. It features a highly decorative and characterful table top, inlaid with various specimen marbles and centred by a cat motif, attributed to J. Darmanin & Sons. 

J. Darmanin & Sons were the leading Maltese marble-work firm of the 19^th century. They made specimen marble tabletops in their Valletta workshop to sell to British visitors who were en route to the Levant via the British Crown Colony of Malta. The table tops were in Italian style and closely resembled the examples acquired by the original Grand Tourists.

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Auction Details

Tuesday 5 & Wednesday 6 September | 10.30am BST
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

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VIEWING:

• Viewing in Newbury:
  • Friday 1 September: 10am-4pm
  • Saturday 2 September: 10am-3pm
  • Sunday 3 September: 10am-3pm
  • Monday 4 September: 10am-4pm
  • Tuesday 5 September: 8.30am-4pm
  • Wednesday 6 September: 8.30am-4pm
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