Furniture, Works of Art and Clocks - 18th January 2023
Lot 234
A RARE GEORGE III GONCALO ALVES BUREAU CABINET
Estimate £1,000 - £1,500 | Hammer £1900
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Description
A RARE GEORGE III GONCALO ALVES BUREAU CABINET
IN THE MANNER OF GILLOWS, C.1770-1780
the detachable dentil cornice above a pair of doors with outline mouldings enclosing three adjustable shelves, the hinged fall revealing a fitted interior with pigeonholes and cedar lined drawers and a baize lined writing surface, above four long drawers on shaped bracket feet
228.8cm high, 11cm wide, 62.2cm deep
Provenance
By repute, Mrs Benthall, Braintree.
Private collection, Shropshire.
Catalogue Note
Goncalo alves (Astronium spp.) is the modern name for what used to be known as zebrawood. The first shipments to arrive in England were from Central America. Edward Long's History of Jamaica (1744) states zebrawood 'at present in esteem among cabinet makers is brought to Jamaica from Mosquito shore'. Zebrawood occurs sporadically in English custom returns during the 1770s.