Research
Of satinwood, palisander, purplewood and yew. Giltbrass mounts. The banded rectangular top with ogee molded ebonized edge above a purplewood frieze concealing two drawers and mounted with giltbrass floral swags, suspended from bosses. The paneled corners with ‘Catherine Wheel’ mounts. The façade is composed of four paneled stiles each centered by a large patarae mount and flanked above and below with harebell mounts suspended from male bearded masks. The flanking doors inlaid with stripes of contrasting satinwood, the paler stripes engraved with lotus leaf motifs. The central niche now fitted with two ebonized shelves. The side with confirming decoration and mounts.The whole raised up on a plain veneered yew wood plinth. Mounts to sides replaced where missing.

The striped mode of veneered and engraved decoration on the cabinet appears to be unique, save for one pair of related examples; these cabinets of similar proportions were supplied by Mayhew & Ince for Croome Court in 1764. Like the present cabinet they have pronounced stripes identically employing figured and non-figured satinwood to achieve contrast. Whereas engraved decoration on the present piece is composed as stylized lotus leafs alternating with the stripped bands, the engraving on the Croome court pair is confined to a central vase ornament and roundels to the top and sides. Another feature common to both modes is the use of bands of ebonized moldings. So distinctive and related are both models that an Ince & Mayhew authorship for the present piece is possible

A fascinating feature of the present cabinet is the way an array of different specimen woods are employed e.g. the frieze is of bois violette (purplewood), the stiles are of palisander, two types of satinwood, and the plinth of yew tree.