Westland London

Description

An unusual George I 'mulberry' cabinet in the manner of Coxed and Woster. The cross banded and veneered walnut doors reveal a fine fitted interior which is also beautiful veneered, including a number of hidden drawers, which are beautifully scumbled.
English, c.1710, with restorations.

Notes: It is now widely accepted that much furniture which was commonly thought to be 'mulberry' is in fact stained burr elm, walnut, maple or alder. The popularity of these veneers in the 1690-1730 period is thought to stem from its tortoiseshell like appearance. If mulberry wood is ebonised to reinforce its markings it does not take the staining effectively whereas with elm, walnut, maple and alder the porous parts of the woods retain the dark streaks giving this dramatic tortoiseshell-like appearance.