M. FORD CREECH ANTIQUES & FINE ARTS
 

 

FINE GEORGE III DIMINUTIVE MAHOGANY SERPENTINE CHEST OF DRAWERS

England, c1765-70, attributed to Philip Bell

 

 

Of highly figured timbers with deep rich color, the serpentine thumbmolded top

over a conforming case with four long graduated cockbeaded drawers raised on bracket feet;

 S-form keyhole locks and escutcheons* and countersunk original bail form gilt handles,

the drawers with early blue paper linings;

bearing the remains of an old paper label verso

 

* The unusual s-shaped locks and escutcheons where a feature of Thomas Chippendale,

and upon occasion his contemporary John Cobb.

They can be seen on bookcases supplied by Chippendale to Sir Penistone Lamb for the Library at Brocket Hall in 1772-1775 (see C. Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, London, 1978, vol. II, figs.77,80 and 267). They also appear on a clothes-press at Harewood House, Yorkshire that was supplied by Chippendale in the late 1760s (C. Gilbert, op. cit., fig. 249). 

These locks and escutcheons were also known to be used by Philip Bell, upholsterer and cabinetmaker,

in 1758 taking over  his father's firm at White Swan, St. Paul's Churchyard, London. 

Bell's more conservative designs with highly figured timbers were also popular in the early Americas.

In 1761, George Washington ordered from Bell a bottle cabinet, still on display at Mt. Vernon. 

Several pieces of labeled furniture are in the Colonial Williamsburg collection of British furniture. 

 

For a similar serpentine chest attributed to Bell, with canted corners and a fitted dressing drawer,

see Bonhams Sale 11084 (2004), Lot 451, with further footnotes.

  

Condition : Excellent with minor wear appropriate to age and usage; wonderful surfaces; original countersunk brasses

   

33.5 High" x 36.5" Wide x 21.5" Deep

 

SOLD

 

#6763

 

   Please Inquire 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also See :

 

Fine_Early_George_III_Mahogany_Serpentine_Chest_c1760

 

Fine Early George III Mahogany Serpentine Chest of Drawers, c1760,
also with exquisite faded original surfaces; original brasses

 


 

 

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 For information, call (901) 761-1163 or (901) 827-4668, or

Email : mfcreech@bellsouth.net or  mfordcreech@gmail.com

 

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M. Ford Creech Antiques & Fine Arts / 581 South Perkins Road /  Memphis, TN 38117 / USA /  Wed.-Sat. 11-6, or by appointment

 


 

 

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Fine George III Diminutive Mahogany Serpentine Chest, Serpentine Locks, attributed to Philip Bell, c1765