λ A Regency rosewood

λ A Regency rosewood, ebony and brass inlaid side cabinet attributed to George Oakley, the raised back with a three quarter gilt brass gallery with two graduated shelves with anthemion and scrolling foliage supports, the inverted breakfront base inlaid with an oak leaf and acorn band above a pair of mirrored doors enclosing a shelf, with further inlaid ebony bands of stars, lattice work and a stylized Vitruvian scroll, flanked by giltwood and gesso leaf capped scroll volutes terminating in carved paw feet, 133.5cm high, 91.6cm wide, 40.6cm deep.

The use of classical anthemion leaf, scroll volutes and carved paw feet show the influence of the designer and connoisseur Thomas Hope. The use of inlaid brass also shows the popularity of the 18th century French style and the revival of 'buhl' work after Andre-Charles Boulle. George Oakley (1773-1840) was well known for supplying 'buhl' furniture especially for his celebrated commission of Papworth Hall, Cambridgeshire. For a Regency library table attributed to Thomas Hope, the manufacture attributed to George Oakley see Bonhams, Fine English Furniture and Works of Art, 15th June 2011, Lot 121. See also Bearne's of Exeter, 28th February 2006 for a Regency amboyna writing table in the manner of Thomas Hope with identical oak leaf and acorn banding.