attributed to Christopher Fuhrlohg, circa 1775
inlaid to the top and side with basket-weave parquetry, the rectangular top with canted front corners and centred oval with flowering rose branches, with stiff leaf and dart cast edge above a plain frieze and three doors each containing a shelf, the central door with a roundel on a basket-weave ground depicting Erato playing her lyre, the side doors with standing Muses, one possibly Terpsichore playing a lyre, the other carrying a staff, above scrolling honeysuckle tendrils, with rosette-filled lower edge, on acanthus cast toupie feet, with DUNNS DEPOSITORIES label to reverse printed H.F. RICHARDSON Esq./ 1-Mar-1993 and inscribed No. 256
80.5 x 122.5 x 68.5cm

Provenance
H.F. Richardson, Esq., March 1933 (according to label).
Acquired by the Hon. Mrs Audrey Pleydell-Bouverie at Julians Park, Hertfordshire, prior to 1947.

Literature

1. Hussey, 'Julians, Hertfordshire - II', Country Life, 27 June 1947, p. 1210, fig. 2 (The Entrance Hall).
2. Cornford, The Inspiration of the Past, 1985, p. 40, fig. 32.
3. Wood, Catalogue of Commodes, London, 1994, p. 122, fig. 118.

Condition Report

Top with some losses to inlay and age cracks, some cracks and few raised pieces

A few areas of soldered repair to the central gilt ring mount, shrinkage cracks to the central cupboard door with some fading and rubbing

left-hand door, small amount raised inlay, some surface fading and rubbing

A minor amount of shrinkage to the backboards consistent with age

Left flank with vertical shrinkage crack

Right flank with two main horizontal shrinkage cracks and other smaller cracks

little original gilding remaining, uniformly aged patination

Please use images as a general guide to the overall condition