18th Century George III Chinoiserie Japanned Wardrobe, Chippendale Period, C1770
Sold
Request Information
Follow Us
18th Century George III Chinoiserie Japanned Wardrobe, Chippendale Period, C1770
A superb and rare George III solid oak chinoiserie decorated wardrobe or estate cupboard, circa 1770. England
This extraordinary and unusual piece was possibly designed as a campaign piece, for somebody who travelled or simply to negotiate stairs because, despite its scale, it can be totally ‘flat packed’ with ease but when it is assembled, it is as robust and durable as any one-piece wardrobe due to the fantastic design.
The full-length raised and fielded panelled solid oak doors are each beautifully decorated in differing typical chinoiserie scenes incorporating elephants, birds, fishing, insects, trees, flowers, boats, harvests, people and dwellings; Opening to reveal a fitted interior. To the left side, dovetail housed shelves slide in to become part of the superstructure, above three graduating solid oak drawers. The right-hand side is fitted with oak pegs presumably for coats. (An appropriate hanging rail can be fitted on request)
The detachable dental moulded cornice surmounts the wardrobe beautifully which is raised on a detachable moulded base and bracket feet concealing period casters.
Each solid oak well-patinated side is fitted with three tenons to the bottom and three to the top. The tenons slot into the cornice and the base.
The raised and fielded two-piece solid oak back is also beautifully made and slots together with a lap-joint to the centre ensuring that it is sealed. This detail in itself displays that the piece was made with a vast knowledge of cabinetwork and with an understanding. In my opinion, the piece was made in such a way to compensate for the change in climate should it be transported to India or Asia.
Due to this piece being so rare and quite possibly unique, I cannot be certain that the chinoiserie was commissioned when the piece was made in England, circa 1770, though, it could well have been. All I can say is that it was decorated in the late 18th or early 19th centuries. I quite like the suggestion that it could have been decorated in India or Asia and belonged to somebody who was part of the East India Company; the scenes could easily be relating to tea or tobacco plantations in the late 18th century.
Chinoiserie entered European art and decoration in the mid-to-late 17th century with French, English, Dutch and Swedish East India Company ships bringing masses of Chinese and Indian goods into Europe. The popularity of chinoiserie peaked circa 1750 when it was associated with rococo fashion; Thomas Chippendale, Giles Grendey and John Belchier all adopted the fashion.
My notes – It is a charming and original piece of very good colour and is extremely well patinated throughout.
Condition
Good. Wear consistent with age and use.
Dimensions
Height: 215 cm
Width: 132 cm
Depth: 51 cm
PREVIOUSLY SOLD

Elizabethan 16th Century Diminutive Cedar Wood Table Casket or Desk Box
Elizabethan 16th Century Diminutive Cedar Wood Table Casket or Desk Box SoldFollow UsElizabethan 16th Century Diminutive Cedar Wood Table Casket or Desk Box The late 16th century Elizabeth I Diminutive Cedar wood table casket or desk box,...

17th-Century Diminutive William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox or Coffre Fort, C. 1690.
17th-Century Diminutive William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox or Coffre Fort, C. 1690. SoldFollow Us17th-Century Diminutive William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox or Coffre Fort, C. 1690. A William and Mary Kingwood/Princes oyster strongbox or...

18th Century George II Chippendale Period Two Door Mahogany Glazed Bookcase
18th Century George II Chippendale Period Two Door Mahogany Glazed Bookcase SoldFollow Us18th Century George II Chippendale Period Two Door Mahogany Glazed Bookcase The fine dentil cornice sits above a pair of glazed doors. The doors are...

17th Century William and Mary Japanned Cabinet on Original Silver Gilt Stand
17th Century William and Mary Japanned Cabinet on Original Silver Gilt Stand Sold Follow Us17th Century William and Mary Japanned Cabinet on Original Silver Gilt Stand An important and exceptional quality late 17th century William and Mary...

Unique 18th Century George II ‘Dummy’ Fronted Mahogany Bachelors Chest
Unique 18th Century George II 'Dummy' Fronted Mahogany Bachelors Chest SoldFollow UsUnique 18th Century George II 'Dummy' Fronted Mahogany Bachelors Chest The unique 18th century George II mahogany architects bachelors chest, C. 1730-1740....

Miniature Hasamibako Travelling Chest Edo Period Late 18th Early 19th century
Miniature Hasamibako Travelling Chest, Edo Period Late 18th Early 19th century SoldFollow UsMiniature Hasamibako Travelling Chest, Edo Period Late 18th Early 19th century A late 18th or early 19th-century Edo period hasamibako (travelling...

Elizabethan 16th Century Diminutive Cedar Wood Table Casket or Desk Box
Elizabethan 16th Century Diminutive Cedar Wood Table Casket or Desk Box SoldFollow UsElizabethan 16th Century Diminutive Cedar Wood Table Casket or Desk Box The late 16th century Elizabeth I Diminutive Cedar wood table casket or desk box,...

17th-Century Diminutive William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox or Coffre Fort, C. 1690.
17th-Century Diminutive William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox or Coffre Fort, C. 1690. SoldFollow Us17th-Century Diminutive William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox or Coffre Fort, C. 1690. A William and Mary Kingwood/Princes oyster strongbox or...

18th Century George II Chippendale Period Two Door Mahogany Glazed Bookcase
18th Century George II Chippendale Period Two Door Mahogany Glazed Bookcase SoldFollow Us18th Century George II Chippendale Period Two Door Mahogany Glazed Bookcase The fine dentil cornice sits above a pair of glazed doors. The doors are...

17th Century William and Mary Japanned Cabinet on Original Silver Gilt Stand
17th Century William and Mary Japanned Cabinet on Original Silver Gilt Stand Sold Follow Us17th Century William and Mary Japanned Cabinet on Original Silver Gilt Stand An important and exceptional quality late 17th century William and Mary...

Unique 18th Century George II ‘Dummy’ Fronted Mahogany Bachelors Chest
Unique 18th Century George II 'Dummy' Fronted Mahogany Bachelors Chest SoldFollow UsUnique 18th Century George II 'Dummy' Fronted Mahogany Bachelors Chest The unique 18th century George II mahogany architects bachelors chest, C. 1730-1740....

Miniature Hasamibako Travelling Chest Edo Period Late 18th Early 19th century
Miniature Hasamibako Travelling Chest, Edo Period Late 18th Early 19th century SoldFollow UsMiniature Hasamibako Travelling Chest, Edo Period Late 18th Early 19th century A late 18th or early 19th-century Edo period hasamibako (travelling...
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

A Fine and Rare 17th Century William and Mary Olive Oyster Table, Circa 1680-1700. England
A Fine and Rare 17th Century William and Mary Olive Oyster Table, Circa 1680-1700. England £14,250[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.23.1" _module_preset="default"...

17th Century Charles II Month Going 10″ Marquetry Longcase Clock by John Wise
A superb Charles II month duration floral marquetry longcase clock by the well-known maker John Wise, c. 1680-85. Measure: 10" Follow UsA superb Charles II month duration floral marquetry longcase clock by the well-known maker John Wise, c....

William and Mary 17th Century Walnut and Pollard Oak Chest on Stand
William and Mary 17th Century Walnut and Pollard Oak Chest on Stand £12,900Follow UsWilliam and...

Important Early George II Burr Walnut Diminutive Bureau / Bachelors C.1730
Important Early George II Burr Walnut Diminutive Bureau / Bachelors C.1730 £36,000 Follow UsImportant Early George II Burr Walnut Diminutive Bureau / Bachelors C.1730 Simply exquisite. Measure: 22" Rare and important all original George II...

A Rare 18th Century George II Carved Cut Gesso and Giltwood Mirror, Circa 1730
A Rare 18th Century George II Carved Cut Gesso and Giltwood Mirror, Circa 1730 £28,000Follow UsA...

Rare Burr Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk, circa 1730-1740. England
Rare Burr Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk, circa 1730-1740. England £28,900Follow UsRare Burr Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk, circa 1730-1740. England Rare Burr Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk / Bachelor's...

A Fine and Rare 17th Century William and Mary Olive Oyster Table, Circa 1680-1700. England
A Fine and Rare 17th Century William and Mary Olive Oyster Table, Circa 1680-1700. England £14,250[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.23.1" _module_preset="default"...

17th Century Charles II Month Going 10″ Marquetry Longcase Clock by John Wise
A superb Charles II month duration floral marquetry longcase clock by the well-known maker John Wise, c. 1680-85. Measure: 10" Follow UsA superb Charles II month duration floral marquetry longcase clock by the well-known maker John Wise, c....

William and Mary 17th Century Walnut and Pollard Oak Chest on Stand
William and Mary 17th Century Walnut and Pollard Oak Chest on Stand £12,900Follow UsWilliam and...

Important Early George II Burr Walnut Diminutive Bureau / Bachelors C.1730
Important Early George II Burr Walnut Diminutive Bureau / Bachelors C.1730 £36,000 Follow UsImportant Early George II Burr Walnut Diminutive Bureau / Bachelors C.1730 Simply exquisite. Measure: 22" Rare and important all original George II...

A Rare 18th Century George II Carved Cut Gesso and Giltwood Mirror, Circa 1730
A Rare 18th Century George II Carved Cut Gesso and Giltwood Mirror, Circa 1730 £28,000Follow UsA...

Rare Burr Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk, circa 1730-1740. England
Rare Burr Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk, circa 1730-1740. England £28,900Follow UsRare Burr Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk, circa 1730-1740. England Rare Burr Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk / Bachelor's...