Regular readers of this blog will be aware of my adoration of beautiful and unusual English and Irish furniture. This stylistically and dimensionally archetypal early George III chest is bizarrely yet handsomely veneered in fruitwood and yew.
The chest (lot 874) is up for auction at Bonhams’ in Oxford on the 18th of February, 2015.
George III (Irish?) fruitwood and yew chest of drawers, circa 1765. (Bonhams)
Jack Plane
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Pegs and 'Tails
Some how it doesn’t look quite right
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And I said to myself, if my six numbers come up I’ll fly over and bid. I like it.
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Indeed, this one will likely end up in the PFP.
JP
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The proportions of that bottom drawer seem “off”…
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It’s probably not helped by the yew panel being in two pieces.
JP
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Yep, agreed. Actually looks better the more I look study it. I really like the banding.
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Hi Jack, really unusual banding, quite an effect. I’ve seen the term fruitwood a lot in auction catalogues and dealer inventory descriptions and have always wondered does it mean ” I’m not sure what wood it is”? This chest looks like it could be cherry. Thanks for the image
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Drupaceous fruitwoods (along with the walnuts) can be difficult to identify, even on a microscopic level. However, some varieties have identifiable colours and figuring to those with experience.
But yes, dealers and auction houses often just lump them all under the one moniker.
This lot looks more like plum or even blackthorn to me.
JP
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As an interior designer, I love this chest’s quirkiness.
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correct style/size brasses? shadow on second drawer left, bottom drawer right.
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There are a mixed bunch of bails and backplates on this chest, but they are essentially correct.
JP
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