Loveday Antiques Ltd

Description

An Exceptionally Fine Pair of Regency Period Brass Inlaid Side Cabinets, Attributed to Louis Constantin Le Gaigneur

English c.1815-20

Provenance

Sold as Property of a Lady, Christie's 19th of September 2002, for £53,775
This fine pair of pier or side cabinets were made c.1815-20 in the high regency fashion with intricate Boulle-work inlay of brass set into fine rosewood veneers. The cabinets each have replaced marble tops which sit upon a leafy giltwood moulding, beneath the moulding is a wide frieze with contra-partie inlay of a central anthemion flanked by scrolling detailing. The motif is repeated on the sides of the piece on a slightly smaller scale. There is then a further giltwood moulding separating the frieze from the doors. The doors utilise versions of the same motifs from the frieze which run around the central silk panelled doors with fine gilt brass grills with central flower heads. Either side of the doors are grand scrolling corbels with parcel gilt highlights and floral paterae on the sides. The sides of each cabinet are also finely inlaid in brass and the cabinets stand proudly on a plinth base.

The cabinets are part of a small group of pieces with the same brass inlay. A larger side cabinet with glazed doors was sold at Christie's on the 3rd of October 2001, lot 339, for £49,350. The inlay on the frieze is of exactly the same pattern as on the present pair of cabinets and the design of the scrolling corbels is also nearly identical, especially in terms of the interesting scrolled section just above the toe or lower scroll.



A further pair of side cabinets with the same frieze design and the same giltwood mouldings to top and bottom of the frieze were illustrated by Clifford Wright in the non-exhibitors section of the 1991 Grosvenor House Antiques Fair catalogue. These cabinets also have the same brass inlay to the sides as on our pieces and were clearly the product of the same workshop. Wright attributed his cabinets to L. C. Le Gaigneur (see image).
Finally another single side cabinet which shares the same frieze inlay, though in premiere-partie, and the same two giltwood mouldings was illustrated in the Grosvenor House Antiques Fair catalogue in 2005 by Godson and Coles Ltd. The inlay on the doors of this piece is the same strapwork design utilised on the Clifford Wright pair (see image).
We believe that our cabinets are part of the output of the Louis Constantin Le Gaigneur workshop. Le Gaigneur was a Frenchman who operated in London from c.1814-1821, working in the French taste for a primarily British clientele. Clients included the royal family and a pair of writing desks by the firm is still in the Royal Collection to this day, having originally been delivered to the Pavilion in Brighton in 1815.



Le Gaigneur specialised in brass inlaid furniture, some very obviously inspired by French furniture of the past, as in the example linked above, other pieces in the more modern regency taste. Le Gaigneur is also believed to have supplied inlay work to other markers which may explain the presence of the same design as on the friezes of our cabinets on a console table attributed to another maker with royal connections, George Oakley, that was offered at Bonham's in 2007



This table has other features which link with known Oakley commissions that are not present on our pieces and it seems much more likely that our cabinets were designed and made entirely in Le Gaigneur's workshop.

As noted in our provenance section, our cabinets made the large sum of £53,775 when offered for sale at Christie's in 2002 and it is easy to see why. Their sophisticated design, part of this small corpus of surviving examples, and their rich decorative aesthetic makes them extremely desirable examples.
Width: 27 1/2 inches - 70cm
Height: 36 inches - 92cm
Depth: 16 3/4 inches - 42.5cm

Loveday Antiques is a family run business originally established since 1969 in London. Now in its second generation, Loveday Antiques specialises in an eclectic mix of 18th to 20th Century European furniture and works of art, with a strong emphasis on quality, uniqueness and colour.

As proud members of LAPADA, the largest association for professional art and antique dealers in the United Kingdom and members of CINOA, the worldwide association for antique dealers you can buy from us with 100% confidence and reassurance as we are committed to upholding and abiding by the strict standards of each association.
Our clients can rest assured that each item is as described and photographed.

All Items are sold with 100% satisfaction 14 day money back guarantee, return delivery will be charged for.

FREE UK MAINLAND SHIPPING INCLUDED WITHIN THE PRICE.
(possible surcharge for remote areas of Wales and Scotland)

Delivery within the mainland UK will usually be with 7 to 14 days but please allow up to 28 days. We also ship worldwide with a professional bespoke crating service and large International couriers via air and sea to almost all locations. Please contact us at Loveday Antiques with your full postal address for a very competitive quote.

GOODS
All items listed are in excellent condition having been restored using traditional methods by experienced cabinet makers and polishers keeping the original colour and patina wherever possible.
Please bear in mind you may find the usual markings with antique furniture that are commensurate with age which all add to beauty and uniqueness of the item.

VIEWINGS
We have a reputation for being long established antique dealers in London having had showrooms concurrently running in Islington, Chelsea and Ascot. We have relocated our new showroom, due to London overheads, easily reached between A1 or A10 to just outside of Hertford, Hertfordshire.
We will happily arrange for clients to be collected travelling via train. Local stations being Hertford North, Stevenage and Ware, all being a 10 minute drive from us.

Please contact us for location and appointments.

Telephone 01438 869 819

Email info@lovedayantiques.co.uk

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Opening Times
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If outside of these times again please call to make an appointment

We have more than 40 years experience in supplying Antique furniture to the trade, public and interior designers from all parts of the world so please buy with confidence as we have passed the test of time.