Details
Decorated overall with trellis parquetry and lavishly mounted with rocaille and foliate motifs, the shaped rectangular top centered by an oval medallion, inlaid with the monogram E.A.T, the drop front decorated with an oval medallion, inlaid with a musical trophy with ivory instruments and mounted with a further trophy and shield dated 1868, opening to reveal a blue gilt tooled leather writing surface, three drawers and two compartments enclosed by sliding covers, on four cabriole legs headed by flowering foliate mounts and terminating in foliate sabots
34 in. (86.5 cm.) high; 3212 in. (83 cm.) wide; 1812 in. (47 cm.) deep
Provenance
Commissioned by Richard Napoleon Thornton (1833-1876) for his daughter-in-law Alice Ernestine Thornton, Knowle Cottage, Sidmouth.
Literature
C. Payne, British Furniture 1820 to 1920: The Luxury Market, Woodbridge, 2023, p. 249, fig. 5.55.
FURTHER DETAILS
* Please note that this lot is available to view at Christie's warehouse, Park Royal. Please contact Anna Schiff (aschiff@christies.com) for assistance.
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Lot Essay

Commissioned from Holland & Sons by Richard Napoleon Thornton (1833-1876) for his daughter-in-law Alice Ernestine Thornton, Knowle Cottage, Sidmouth for the price of £64 10s. This bureau en pente was part of an extensive commission from the firm to decorate the celebrated cottage orné Knowle Cottage in the resort of Sidmouth in Devon. Richard Napoleon Thornton was the son and heir of Richard Thornton (1776-1865), a merchant and trader whose fortune of £2,800,000 was at his death the largest fortune to be valued for probate in Great Britain up until that date. Of exceptional quality and inlaid with the initials of Alice Thornton (AET) this bureau in the Louis XV style exemplifies the high calibre of furniture produced by Holland & Sons.

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