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VERY FINE GEORGE III INLAID MAHOGANY SERPENTINE SIDEBOARD
England, circa 1780
Item # 911IQW16X
An exquisite piece that is incredibly pleasing to the eye on three counts: a moving form, fantastic mellowed color and overall surface patination. Rarely does a sideboard completely capture my eye as much as this piece does and hopefully the magnetic color and surface vibrance properly conveys in the images.
Crafted during the 1780s in London, the veneered mahogany top is finished with a cross-banded edge and alternating satinwood-and-ebony stringer inlays. It conforms to the serpentine curvature of the body, the inverted curves of the sides swelling in the center over a single broad horizontal drawer flanked by a deep wine storage drawer on the left and a single shallow drawer stacked over a deep drawer on the right.
All drawers are hand dovetailed in the typical manner with oak linings, retaining original stamped brass backplates and pulls. The edges are finished in a satinwood stringer inlay around matched crotch-cut mahogany veneers with a warm cognac color streaked with rich golden bands in the grain. On the outer one-third of the drawers, the matched veneer is intended to create a branch effect in the veneers.
The case rests over tapered legs with intertwined stringer inlays terminating in squared Marlborough block feet.
A remarkable statement piece for the classical dining room, it is a powerful object that remains in exceptional original condition throughout.
Measurements: 70 1/2" W x 37 1/2" H x 28 5/8" D
Condition Report:
Old shrink cracks and some ink stains/scars in top along with bits of patched veneer in cross-banded top edge. Right curved return (beneath central drawer) with some loss to ebony-and-satinwood stringer inlay along the edge, opposite of this on the left side is replaced stringer inlay. Apparently original brasses, three steel locks that are likely original and one period brass lock that is likely replaced. Left edge of top with some color bleeding. Right side of case with two horizontal shrinkage cracks.