Miniature Table Cabinet, 18th Century

Miniature Table Cabinet, 18th CenturyAn extremely rare late 18th early 19th century George III period miniature cabinet, or 'apprentice piece', black 'japanned' and gilt decorated with Oriental scenes, exotic birds, pagodas, butterflies etc. England, circa 17951810. Why we like it Likely made as an apprentice piece or a tradesman's sample, this beautiful and highly unusual cabinet was probably later used as a table top collector's cabinet, as collecting of all things exotic swept 19th

Reverse mirror paintings from this period are exceedingly rare

In design and interior spacing they were the first true minimalists

Superb quality typical of early McLean's work

choice of timber and sophisticated decoration suggest the best furniture-makers of the era

A very fine mahogany Gainsborough armchair of superb quality and large scale

Each flap: 22

he worked at Bjørn Wiinblad’s workshop

While they were mostly painted on inexpensive pith paper

The plants are generally arranged with a fine artistic sensibility on the plate

genuinely loved South of France and created a wonderful series of finest watercolours celebrating the early 20th century beauty of the glorious Côte d'Azur

distinguished by the superb quality of construction

1760) by Paul Sandby (Scottish