English Cabinets

This highly important secrétaire-cabinet was crafted for and specially ordered by King George I for the British Ambassador to Russia. From its craftsmanship and materials to its exceptional artistry, it is a work of royal and historic significance that exudes power in each and every detail. The broken pediment at its apex features the simplified royal coat of arms bearing the king’s crown, while the interior is adorned by portraits of the British Royal Family. Placed within the ambassador’s St. Petersburg home, this entirely unique piece of furniture would have been a potent reminder of England's grandeur and political importance. Relations between England and Russia during this period were at an all-time high. Peter the Great had traveled to England in 1698 as part of his widely known “Grand Embassy” tour, wherein he attempted to gain foreign support against the Ottoman Empire. He spent a period of nearly four months there, meeting with King William III and his court on numerous occasions. Noted academic Arthur MacGregor wrote concerning the impact of the trip, “For two decades following Peter's visit, British influence in Russia reached a peak. It manifested itself in social custom, in craft practice and in ships and naval organization... it reached a significant sector of the population before relations cooled once again and the two nations pulled back from this era of unprecedented cordiality.” First and foremost, however, it is a reminder of British might and influence. By the reign of King George I, England had come into its own as a world power. Unique in its design, this cabinet is a reflection of the country’s might. It is crafted from the highest-quality solid walnut and burr walnut adorned by gilded lock plates and engraved hinges. The presence of ormolu at its apex and lining the doors was a rarity for this period, and its addition makes manifest the importance of the design. The outer doors open to reveal multiple interiors, including fifteen separate drawers around a central cupboard; the cupboard doors each bear mezzotint portraits of George I and his father, Ernest Augustus, Elector of Hanover. An etching after the portrait of George I dating to circa 1716 is in London’s Royal Academy. A second, inner pair of doors are adorned by mezzotints of the Prince and Princess of Wales (later Queen Caroline and George II), which are both after portraits by Sir Godfrey Kneller dated 1716 in the Royal Collection. A final portrait is revealed on the very interior of the cabinet, where a mezzotint of Frederick, Anne, Amelia and Caroline, children of the Prince of Wales, resides. An etching (circa 1715-1720) after this portrait can be found in the National Portrait Gallery (London). Apart from its abundance of royal portraiture, the cabinet features stunning painted decoration, including floral designs as well as clouds, birds and trees in a bucolic motif reminiscent of Eden. Its lower portion is a study in both form and function, featuring a fitted secrétaire-drawer above three additional drawers for storage. The cabinet appears in The Shorter Dictionary of English Furniture by R. Edwards from 1964, a text that is regarded as the bible of British furniture design. Edwards describes it as a “writing cabinet...given by George I to the British Ambassador at the Russian court.” The cabinet was likely made for the 18th-century German diplomat and writer Friedrich Christian Weber, who represented English interests at the Russian court from 1714 until 1719. Although Weber’s tenure as ambassador was relatively short, while in St. Petersburg, he authored his account entitled Das veraenderte Russland (The Present State of Russia), which was published in three volumes in 1721, 1739 and 1740. It may, however, also have been made for George Douglas, 2nd Earl of Dumbarton, who served as ambassador alongside Weber in 1716. Diplomatic relations ceased between the two countries in 1721. In 1928, the cabinet appeared for sale at the International Exhibition of Antiques & Works of Art in Olympia. It had previously been in the collection of the Woltner family of Bordeaux, the celebrated vintners who owned the estate Château Laville Haut-Brion and produced wine of the same name. According to the family, Monsieur Woltner was given the cabinet as a gift from an aunt who lived in Russia for many years. After leaving the Woltner collection, the cabinet was acquired by William Berry...

Antique Victorian quality mahogany display cabinet with original painted decoration having a swan neck pediment above a pair of mahogany serpentine shaped glazed doors with original ...

Early 20th century English haberdashery style cabinet of shelves or bookcase having 42 pigeon hole bin style cubbies. Each cubbie opening measures 20 inches wide, 20 inches deep, and...

A smaller-scale English mid-Victorian bookcase in exotic wood with Gothic arch profile doors. Adjustable upper shelves and single shelf in cabinet base. C. 1850.

Edward William Godwin. Made by Collinson & Lock. A fine quality Anglo Japanese mahogany and astragal glazed cabinet with satinwood line inlay. ...

Rare and remarkable pair of British colonial cabinets hand crafted in mahogany and featuring bonnets with carved cornices, glazed step-back bookcases with graceful window pane design...

Circa 1815 Regency period breakfront cabinet chiffonier, English. Simple, stately stylish. Three cabinet doors each with criss-crossing brass grillwork with pleated fabric back...

We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of burr walnut Waring & Gillow 1932 bedside lamp wine table cupboards These are very good looking well made and decorative pi...

Rare precious shagreen covered cabinet on stand by cabinet by Asprey & Co of London. The cabinet design is modelled after an 18th century Chinese export cabinet usually decorated with lacquer work, it is covered with pale green shagreen, featuring two doors fitted with typical Chinese style brass hinges and central escutcheon all resting on a carved and silver-gilt Grotto...

A George II Lacquered-Brass and Chinese Coromandel Cabinet on Stand, Cabinet and stand mid 18th Century, the panels early 18th Century Provenance: Walter, 5th Duke of Buccleuch...

Outstanding quality antique Victorian rosewood inlaid corner cabinet by Maple & Co. having a shaped pediment top, seven bevelled edge mirrors, display shelves supported by turned c...

Dr C Dresser attributed an Aesthetic Movement ebonized display cabinet with incised and gilded zig-zag decoration. Probably made for Bushloe House. I wa...

19th century chinoiserie display cabinet with glass shelves, two hidden drawers, and opening to two bottom doors.

An outstanding 19th century Victorian antique carved mirrored walnut credenza with a magnificent carved solid walnut mirror back and spectacular ...

Antique quality Edwardian mahogany inlaid corner cabinet having a fine inlay decoration which makes this an altogether striking piece. It boasts a charming shaped inlaid gallery top ...

We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of very rare, original William IV oversized side cupboards with Lion hairy paw feet These are exquisite, I’ve honestly never ...

Superbly and intricately hand carved solid mahogany whatnot or display piece with an attached velvet-lined vitrine or specimen cupboard. Handsome fretted ...

A rare Arts & Crafts oak record cabinet for holding 1978 (LP's do not fit into this cabinet but singles do). With a roll up door retaining the original key ...

Arts and Crafts Mahogany Music Cabinet designed by G M Ellwood made by J S Henry with a Scottish style enamel plaque to the centre of the upper door, the plaque attributed to Jessie M King...

This is a splendid antique Victorian satinwood bedside cabinet, circa 1880 in date. This superb antique cabinet features attractive marquetry decoration. The bedside cabinet has a ...

A finely crafted campaign-style chest by the Beacon Hill Collection, circa 1960s–70s. Made in three stacking sections, this piece draws inspiration from 19th-century British military...

Pair Antique English Victorian burled walnut side tables, circa 1870.

A Pair of Matching Edwardian Handcrafted Pot Cupboards With Brass Drop Handles With Attractively Arranged Flame Mahogany Veneer Fronts With Wood Inlay Price is for the pair

Regency style rosewood bookcase with gilt and ebonized accents, grillwork cabinet doors above and curtained doors hiding six (6) interior drawers below, 19th century England.

Victorian Mahogany Inlaid Display Cabinet Circa 1890 An elegant late Victorian mahogany inlaid display cabinet of refined proportions. The upper section features a shaped pediment wi...

An exhibition quality mid 19th century burr walnut Credenza, or side cabinet, of good bold proportion Having superbly figured top over two panelled Central doors, flanked by bowed...

Early 19th Century English Mahogany Side Cabinet with Tamboor Door, Lift Top & Inlay

Elegant English Regency period, circa 1815, étagère or library stand of unusual form having solid mahogany construction with top platform on turned colonette-form supports with ball turned finials above single door locking cabinet with real leather-bound book spine veneer above lozenge band of boxwood inlay on bulbous turned feet. Book spines are 'Dickens Works...

A fine late 18th-century Georgian satinwood and marquetry secretaire display cabinet, of outstanding quality and elegant proportions. The upper section features a central arched pedi...

This is a lovely mahogany corner cabinet in the 18th century Georgian styling. The top has two glass doors with 13 panels of hand glazed glass panels in each door. Behind which is a ...

Very nice Octangle shaped Drink Cabinet .Mahogany ,comes with a Embossed Green Leather top . Good condition . Warm Mahogany color .

This is a fabulous opportunity to acquire a genuinely rare design Art Deco display cabinet, this being one of the best examples in figured walnut. If you want a focal point or a wow ...

A rare chinoiserie standing double corner cabinet, or cupboard. English, George I-period, ca 1720. Often erroneously referred to as lacquer work, this is japanned. Beautifully decorated with idyllic scenes of rockwork, pagodas, people, trees, birds, water, with bridges and a boat. This is a lovely and very useful addition to a room - where corners can present furnishing dilemmas - and this is a chic antique drinks cabinet. These have always been very hard to find, as opposed to the more usual Georgian hanging corner cupboards...

Edwardian oak server from England, circa 1910. The top is wonderfully grained and has a plate rail along the back and a beveled edge. This follows down to s...

Ripple Tall Cabinet by Three One Four Studio Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 45 x W 110 x H 190 cm. Materials: Modelboard, brass, resin, and glass. THREE ONE FOUR studio was born from t...

G M Ellwood for J S Henry. A fine exhibition quality 'New Art' Arts and Crafts display cabinet. A well executed design with such fine a...

A fine, and rare, very closely-matched pair of late-17th century oyster walnut chests on stands. English, Charles II period, ca 1685. Both with f...

A late 18th Century Sheraton period harewood Display Cabinet on Stand, of unusual small proportions. The piece, with yew-wood panels crossbanded throughout in purpleheart, having ar...

A fine 19th century Regency Rosewood and parcel gilt credenza

A rare and exceptional pair of early 19th-century English Regency chinoiserie lacquered cabinets, masterfully hand-crafted and exquisitely decorated. Each cabinet features a rectangu...

An extraordinary antique English George IV library cabinet circa 1820. Features a long, rectangular breche marble top in beautiful white, orange, and violet, surmounting a stately bo...

English 19th century Kentian style cupboard with gilded, carved wood details.

Unusual form originally having a backboard. With marble top with raised arched ends with bronze wreaths and mask over a long drawer and pair of grill doo...

With double arched top over a pair of arched mirror doors opening to a red interior fitted with drawers and shelves, the base with slant lid des...

Regency rosewood cabinet with bronze and carved giltwood. Beautiful gilded bronze decoration and an unusual green and white marble top. Underneath there are intricately carved decora...

With a pair of doors with elaborate brass hinges and overall Asian inspired decoration opening to an interior of drawers with brass bail handles. The slightly later base with Asian i...

A handsome rectangular British military officer's Campaign trunk of camphorwood featuring hand-cut brass binding and hardware, with opposing handles, and wax seals or stamps from por...

Circa 1870 Large 19th C English mahogany glazed apothecary wall cabinet sku 577 Measures: W262 x D34 x H75 cm.

Antique George III quality figured mahogany secretaire desk/cabinet having a quality figured mahogany crossbanded top with a moulded edge above a secretaire drawer with original bras...

Outstanding quality pair of antique Victorian inlaid burr walnut and porcelain mounted pier cabinets having quality burr walnut rectangular top above very attractive inlaid burr waln...

This is a stylish antique Victorian burr walnut table top cigar humidor or collectors table-top cabinet, Circa 1870 in date. The cabinet features two doors fitted with the original ...

Rectangular top over a pair of paneled doors enclosing adjustable shelves, raised on turned feet and original casters. Provenance; Norman Adams Ltd. Londo...

An early 20th century industrial pigeon hole storage unit, good size with 48 pigeon holes. The piece is made using steel rods and bolts and is ...

E.A. Taylor made by Wylie and Lochhead. An Arts & Crafts mahogany display cabinet or sideboard, with upper open shelf and gallery with capped uprights to the sides, a central upper ...

Antique Victorian mahogany display case with quality marquetry inlays that has a lid with quality floral marquetry inlays with oval mirrors with a beveled edge, ormolu mounts, door w...

A circa 1820 English Regency period pedestal or dwarf cabinet of rectangular form having original Septarian stone top on parcel-gilt and faux-painted rosewood grain case, the locking...

An outstanding Arts Crafts display cabinet, with stylized ebony and pewter inlays. Arched bevelled mirror to the back above display area, flanked by two upper shelves stylized ...

Edwards & Roberts. An Edwardian Aesthetic Movement Queen Anne Revival mahogany wall cabinet with floral inlaid swan neck pediment and chequer and line in...

Antique Victorian quality marquetry inlaid mahogany display cabinet having a quality floral marquetry inlaid top with oval bevelled edge mirrors, ormolu mounts, glazed shaped door op...

Napoleon III antique display cabinet. This beautiful breakfront kingwood display cabinet has a central wide door flanked by two glazed panels ...