18th Century George II Mahogany Caddy Moulded Chest Attributed to Giles Grendey

18th Century George II Mahogany Caddy Moulded Chest Attributed to Giles Grendey

George II Figured Mahogany Caddy-Top Bachelor’s Chest
Circa 1740. England

Attributed to Giles Grendey

A fine and original George II bachelor’s chest in richly figured mahogany, with rare caddy-moulded top, brushing slide, and a notably high level of original detail throughout. The chest is of excellent deminutive proportions and displays particularly rich colour and surface.

The caddy moulding runs cleanly across the top and down the styles, above the brushing slide and four long, oak-lined graduated drawers. Each drawer is cock-beaded and fitted with its original unusual gilt swan-neck handles with pierced flora backplates, raised skeleton escutcheons, and original locks. The chest stands on all four of its original solid mahogany bracket feet.

Of particular note are the unusual lignum vitae roller casters. Grendey is documented as having used lignum vitae rollers, and in my opinion these examples represent a later, revised or improved development of the same principle. Their material and execution are entirely consistent with high-quality mid-18th-century London cabinet-making and sit comfortably with the attribution.

Caddy-topped bachelor’s chests are scarce and particularly sought after by collectors. This example is distinguished by the quality of its timber, the retention of original fittings, and a deep, even patina throughout, offering a strong and honest piece of mid-18th-century English furniture with real presence.

Very few labelled examples by Grendey are known. To place this in context, only three caddy-topped chests have been recorded over some 300 years bearing the original trade label. Giles Grendey was born at Wotton-under-Edge in Gloucestershire in 1693 and worked from Aylesbury House, St John’s Square, Clerkenwell, London. He is most famously known for supplying a significant commission to the Duke of Infantado for the Castle of Lazcano in Spain.