Millington Adams

Artist / Maker / Factory

Attributed to CHRISTOPHER HEARN OF DUBLIN (c.1745-1765)

Medium / Material

Mahogany

Dimensions

40.50inch wide   95.50inch high   24.00inch deep (102.87 cm wide  242.57 cm high  60.96 cm deep)

Description

A superb Irish George II mahogany secretaire kneehole bookcase, probably by Christopher Hearn of Dublin. The superstructure with scrolling broken pediment cresting carved with leaves and surmounted by an eagle, above a pair of panelled doors enclosing adjustable shelves, above two drawers, the leather-lined secretaire-drawer enclosing a fitted interior, above a kneehole with a serpentine drawer and three recessed graduated drawers, flanked by three graduated drawers to either side, on shaped bracket feet.

This bureau-dressing-table and cabinet reflects the George II Romano/British fashion promoted by Richard Boyle, 3rd Earl of Burlington and 4th Earl of Corke (d. 1753), who served as George II's Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Roman virtue is evoked by a Roman eagle crowning its triumphal-arched and scalloped temple pediment, whose waved volutes bear roses, sacred to Venus as goddess of Love, and these are sculpted in chivalric gothic fashion. See also Irish Furniture, The Knight of Glin and James Peill, p. 121, pl.163, for a very similar secretaire cabinet with eagle finial, carved roundels and of identical arrangement (however with mirrored doors), attributed to Christopher Hear, supplied in 1764 to Lady Cobbe for Newbridge House.

Provenance

Private collection Hampshire by descent to the current owner. Previously purchased from Bennett & Stow, Alresford, 9th May 1979.

Literature

English, George I, circa 1755

Current Condition

Excellent. Minor restorations to chipped veneers, waxing, the leather writing surface replaced, brassware believed to be original.

Price

gbp 44900.00 (Pound Sterling)

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