An Exceptionally Rare Pair of Regency Period Side Cabinets Attributable to George Smith
Height: 35" 90cm
Width: 34" 86.5cm
Depth: 12" 30.5cm
Of inverted breakfront form, the cabinets have marble tops above a rosewood paneled door with fine quality applied brass mouldings and a central verre eglomisé plaque. To either side of the door are gilded Egyptian Monopodia above gilt lion-paw feet.
The cabinets epitomize the late Eighteenth and early Nineteenth century fascination for Egyptian motifs. In no small part the consequence of Napoleon's campaigns in Egypt in 1798. In particular, the profusely illustrated 'Voyage dans la Haute et dans la Basse Egypte' by the artist Denon, who accompanied Napoleon to Egypt. The book was published in 1802 and was very quickly translated into English, becoming the latest vogue with designers, cabinet makers and their clients.
George Smith, whose designs were to some extent eclectic, published in 1808, 'A Collection of Designs for Household Furniture and Interior Decoration'. Repeatedly, Smith makes use of these Egyptian motifs.
Of particular note are the monopodia on these cabinets. They relate very closely to plate 88 (see fig 1) of Smith's 1808 publication. Although this design was a popular form of this period, the detailing of the drapery below the bust is identical to the design in Smith's book and not a feature we have seen before. Also of interest is plate 118 (see fig 2) which illustrates a design in which there is a monopodia above a lion paw foot. This feature can also been seen on these cabinets.
English, Circa 1810
 "A detail of Plate 118 from George Smith's 'A collection of designs for household furniture' 1808")
