Research:
Of dark green lacquer with gilded chinoiserie decoration. The cavetto molded cornice above two paneled doors which open to reveal an arrangement of four original shaped sided slides. The lower stage fitted with one long and two short drawers, each with drop handles that have shaped, engraved and punched backplates. The whole façade with fanciful gilded and umber shaded chinoiserie decoration. The whole raised on four shaped bracket feet.
Provenance:
An Old Copenhagen Collection
This refined press cabinet, of rare dark green color, is executed in the manner of or perhaps by the celebrated London cabinet-maker Giles Grendey (1693-1780). The “press” form of the present piece is characterized by a cupboard, which conceals its original slides for fine garments, above a bank of drawers. The English lacquer trade was heavily influenced by the taste for the furniture in Spain and Portugal, particularly the Spanish nobility. The decoration of Grendey pieces in lacquer is characterized by the elaborate detailing and complex arrangement of the raised chinoiserie scenes. As in the present piece, figures are intricately depicted, clothed in flowing robes and combined in carefully ordered groups, often with numerous figures, set against an oriental background.
Full research report available on request.