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Fine & Small Geo II Rosewood Chest with brushing slide

A Fine & Small Geo II Rosewood Chest with brushing slide & 4 graduated drawers, with a book matched, quartered top & oak panelled back.  The use of rosewood at this date is most unusual, & the slide is made of padouk, a closely related species from the East Indies.  The oak panelled dust boards & back indicate a leading workshop, probably in London, of the 1740s.  Brasses are old but not original, and the ogee feet, again old but not original, are evidently modelled on a sophisticated design.  The individuality of this piece might indicate a special order, perhaps for a merchant or sea captain in the East India trade (the prodigal use of oak ruling out any colonial manufacture), with the client supplying the exotic timbers.  At this date, only makers such as John Channon of St Martins Lane habitually used rosewood and padouk, both rare and costly timbers.  It would be left to the Regency period and the spread of British trade to the Americas, for West Indian & Brazilian rosewood to enter common furniture usage 

dimensions
31 1/4" w
20 1/2" d
32" h

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