Important Queen Anne Japanned Chinoiserie Corner Cupboard by John Coxed

Important Queen Anne Japanned Chinoiserie Corner Cupboard by John Coxed

JOHN COXED Also known as COXED & WOSTER (worked c.1700-c.1718)

1711-1715 England

Important Queen Anne Japanned Chinoiserie Corner Cupboard by John Coxedard

The original bevelled mercury mirror plate is boarded by a double-d moulding and framed by its case of japanned, and detailed chinoiserie designs of differing forms. The chinoiserie work is incredibly fine for the period and includes figural scenes, a cliff face with lapping water, vegetation, insects, and birds to its entirety. The chased escutcheon is original along with the key, lock and opens to an interior of straight and shaped shelves of oak. Directly behind the mirror plate sits the original backboard with the earliest form of John Coxed trade label. The label reads “John Coxed T the Swan in St Pauls Church-Yard London, makes and cabinets, book-cases, chest of drawers, scrutoires, looking glasses, forts.” J. Clue in Bow Church-Yard Printer, and Print-Cutter to the shop keepers.

Six pieces of furniture bearing John Coxed’s labels have so far come to light, and they bear two different styles of label to which this is thought to be the earliest version. This corner cabinet is not only one, of the only now three known examples of the earliest form, but also the only recorded Japanned and chinoiserie piece by John Coxed (1711-1718). It is assumed that this label dates from 1711-1715 and the later version’ from 1715-18. This allows us the rare opportunity to accurately date this unique piece, to sometime between 1711-15.

Typically, Pieces by the outfit are veneered in walnut, mulberry or burr elm and stained to resemble tortoiseshell. Some pieces are embellished with kingwood cross-banding and pewter stringing. This metal line inlay was almost certainly due to the influence of Gerrit Jensen, who introduced such fashionable Continental habits into England in the late 17th century.
All known pieces by Coxed and Woster are in important private collections and museums, to include, The V&A Museum, Colonial Williamsburg, Rousham House and Alexander George Fine Antiques Ltd.

John Belchier also operated from the Southside of St Pauls Churchyard, just a few doors down from Coxed in the first quarter of the 18th century. The earliest reference to John Belchier can be found in the accounts of Boughton House between 1687 and 1710. Belchier is most famous for his Chinoiserie work and it is possibly or even highly likely that it was he who undertook the chinoiserie work of the corner cabinet we are offering.