Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 7

Pair of Coxed and Woster Mulberry Cabinets on Secretaire Chests

$812,740.22List Priceper set

About the Item

Exceptional English furniture, a unique and important pair of Coxed and Woster 'mulberry' cabinets on secretaire chests, both bearing their original trade labels, circa 1719. Coxed and Woster are known for their dramatic use of veneers. Burrs such as elm, walnut and of course the most highly prised 'mulberry' which is in fact burr maple. Mulberry, is a generic term coined in the 1950’s by the antique trade to describe burr maple (Acer Campestre) taken from the root ball. The highly figured veneer in its raw state is white in color and with little contrast to the grain. It is not until the veneer is treated with nitric acid, (or as it was described in “Treatise of japanning” published in 1688, “aqua forties) turning it to a pleasing oxidized orange hue. The grain is then highlighted with the use of lamp black which gives a striking contrast, giving the effect of tortoiseshell in appearance. The cabinets were made in a time of great prosperity with 18th century entrepreneurs extending their range of their businesses around the globe. By the 1720s, Britain was one of the most prosperous countries in the world, and English novelist Daniel Defoe boasted: 'we are the most diligent nation in the world'. The vast trade, rich manufactures, mighty wealth and an insurgents of tens of thousands highly skilled Protestants fleeing oppression after 1685, led to the rise of what is now known as the 'golden age' of furniture. For example, the use of white metal stringing and kingwood cross banding that embellish these cabinets is almost certainly down to Gerrit Jensen, who introduced much of the continental habits in the late 17th century. Provenance: No.10: Private collection Bedfordshire, UK No.11: Estate of the late Mr Wallace, Oregon USA. Literature: Leading furniture historian and celebrated author 'Dr Adam Bowett' kindly provided the following information. 'This secretaire-chest and cabinet bears the trade label of Grace Coxed and Thomas Woster, who managed the White Swan workshop in St Paul's Churchyard between 1719 and 1735. Nine labelled pieces from their partnership have been recorded, and this piece brings that number to ten. The use of stained burr maple veneers in conjunction with rosewood crossbanding and white metal stringing, although not exclusive to the White Swan workshop, occurs on about half its recorded output. Grace Coxed inherited the White Swan workshop from her late husband, the cabinet- maker John Coxed, who died in December 1718, and she also continued his practice of labelling furniture. John Coxed's will stipulated that Grace should go into partnership with his brother-in-law, Thomas Woster, and under their joint management the White Swan workshop thrived until Grace's death in August 1735. During that time the firm used three different labels to mark their output, of which this is probably the earliest version, dating from circa 1719-1725. Two other pieces with this label are known: a walnut bureau-table in the collection at Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, and a burr maple desk- and bookcase in a private collection. In the 1720s the secretaire-chest and cabinet was still a relatively new design. Two walnut-veneered versions bearing John Coxed's label are known and another walnut example bears one of the later versions of the Coxed and Woster label, but this is the first burr maple example to be recorded'. Literature: Adam Bowett and Laurie Lindey 'Labelled Furniture from the White Swan Workshop in St Paul's Churchyard' Furniture History Society XXXIX (2003), pp. 71-99. Furniture History Society 'Dictionary Of English Furniture Makers 1660-1840' Page 205 Signed/Inscribed: G.Coxed T.Woster At the White Swan in St. Pauls Church-yard, London; makes and sells cabinets, book-cases, chest of drawers, scrutores, and looking-glasses of all sorts at reasonable rates.

Creator:
COXED WOSTER (Maker)
Dimensions:
Height: 0.4 in (1 cm)Width: 0.4 in (1 cm)Depth: 0.4 in (1 cm)
Sold As:
Set of 2
Materials and Techniques:
Maple,Veneer
Place of Origin:
England
Period:
18th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1719-1725
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Oxfordshire, GB
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU4936216155271

Antique Early 18th Century English George I Secretaires

Materials

Pewter

A George I Mulberry Secretaire Bureau Attributed to Coxed Woster

$73,008

H 72.45 in W 38.59 in D 20.48 in

Georgian Walnut Chest on chest with Secretaire, circa 1760

Located in Brighton, Sussex

A fine quality and rare Georgian period Walnut Tallboy with a secretaire drawer, having wonderful fluted canted corners, having the original brass handles to the drawer fronts and si...

Category

Antique 18th Century English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Georgian Walnut Chest on chest with Secretaire, circa 1760

$34,438

H 76.78 in W 40.16 in D 21.66 in

Early 19th century Georgian mahogany secretaire chest on chest

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Early 19th century Georgian mahogany chest on chest circa 1800. Fine quality English chest on chest which we rescued on our travels around sweden. Comprising of 2 parts. Top secti...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Early 19th century Georgian mahogany secretaire chest on chest

$6,267

H 76.5 in W 44.25 in D 23 in

Pair of early 19th century mahogany Biedermeier secretaire chests

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Pair of early 19th century mahogany Biedermeier secretaire commodes circa 1830. Rare pair of biedermeier period swedish chest of drawers. 4 drawers, each top drawer with a fully fi...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of early 19th century mahogany Biedermeier secretaire chests

$21,351 / set

H 38 in W 43.5 in D 23.25 in

Mid century small mulberry bombe chest of drawers

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

1950's small mulberry bombe shaped commode chest of drawers circa 1960. Rococo revival chest of small proportions. Petit Scandinavian commode circa 1960. Made in beautiful mulberry...

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Rococo Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Mid century small mulberry bombe chest of drawers

$1,783

H 26.25 in W 29.5 in D 16 in

Antique George III Mahogany Chest on Chest Secretaire 18th Century

Located in London, GB

This is a beautiful antique George III flame mahogany secretaire chest on chest, circa 1770 in date. It features a stunning cornice with dental work to the frieze, blind fretwork to...

Category

Antique Late 18th Century English George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Antique George III Mahogany Chest on Chest Secretaire 18th Century

$3,925

H 77.96 in W 40.56 in D 21.66 in

Rare Pair of Geo II Chest on Chests

Located in Shipston-On-Stour, GB

A one off pair of Geo II mahogany chest on chests of compact size, the flat tops with moulded edges and canted corners running full height of the chests, the fronts with sets of grad...

Category

Antique 1750s English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany, Oak

Rare Pair of Geo II Chest on Chests

$25,484

H 65.5 in W 39 in D 25 in

18th Century Pair of Italian Inlaid Walnut Chests of Drawers with Secretaire

Located in Brescia, IT

The Italian exquisite craftsmanship finds in these pieces one of the best expressions. Every part of these pieces of furniture, are finely handcrafted and a series of precious woods ...

Category

Antique 1770s Italian Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pearwood, Walnut

18th Century Pair of Italian Inlaid Walnut Chests of Drawers with Secretaire

$101,362 / set

H 36.23 in W 51.97 in D 22.45 in

Russian Neoclassic Mahogany Secretaire Chest

Located in Queens, NY

Russian Neoclassical (Early 19th Century) ormolu, & white marble mounted ebonized & mahogany secr√©taire commode with top drawer desk and upper section.

Category

Antique 19th Century Russian Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Russian Neoclassic Mahogany Secretaire Chest

$65,000

H 50.25 in W 48.5 in D 24.5 in

Victorian Teak Campaign Secretaire Chest

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

For sale is a good quality Victorian teak campaign secretaire chest, the top drawer with a fall front opening to a fitted interior, above three further drawers below, each with inset...

Category

Antique 19th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Teak

Victorian Teak Campaign Secretaire Chest

$4,476

H 39.38 in W 41.74 in D 19.69 in

More From This Seller

View All

Fine 17th Century William and Mary Burl Walnut Cabinet on Chest, Circa 1690

Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

17th century William and Mary burr walnut cabinet on chest, circa 1690. England. Concealing two secret compartments. The Cabinet The cross-grain cornice...

Category

Antique 17th Century English William and Mary Cabinets

Materials

Walnut, Burl, Oak

Fine 17th Century William and Mary Burl Walnut Cabinet on Chest, Circa 1690

$38,295

17th Century William and Mary Olive Oyster Chest on Stand or Table Box

Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

A fine and extremely rare 17th century William and Mary baroque olive oyster chest on stand or 'table box', circa 1675-1690. The exquisite...

Category

Antique Late 17th Century English William and Mary Commodes and Chests o...

Materials

Olive

17th Century William and Mary Olive Oyster Chest on Stand or Table Box

$17,356

George III Chippendale Period Mahogany Serpentine Chest, Circa 1770 England

By Thomas Chippendale

Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

Dating from one of the most famous and highly celebrated periods in English furniture history, now known as the ‘Chippendale period’. This fine George III mahogany serpentine chest ...

Category

Antique 18th Century British Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

George III Chippendale Period Mahogany Serpentine Chest, Circa 1770 England

$17,770

Rare Burr Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk, circa 1730-1740, England

Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

Rare Burr walnut George II 18th century kneehole desk / bachelor's chest, circa 1730-1740. England The superb quarter veneered burr walnut top is bordered by a fine feather stringing, cross-banded and edged with cross-grain ovolo mouldings. Six oak lined drawers bearing their original locks and handles and escutcheons surround the central burr walnut cupboard...

Category