An Important Marquetry Side Cabinet Attributed to Holland & Sons

Object Description

An Important Marquetry Side Cabinet
Attributed to Holland & Sons

Of exceptional quality, utilising beautifully grained woods, including Circassian walnut, thuya, purple heart and boxwood in the construction, and adorned with very finely cast, planished and gilded ormolu mounts; the cabinet supported on oblate bun feet with applied ormolu rossettes along the shaped frieze with two glazed doors to the front and corresponding convex doors to the sides, each with marquetry inlay to the quadrant corners, opening up to reveal green velvet-lined shelved interiors, interspersed with tapering pilasters with further marquetry, headed by ram’s heads gilt bronze mounts; the top of conforming outline, showcasing thuya wood within a circassian walnut and boxwood-strung reserves, with beaded brass moulded edge and egg-and-dart guard. 
English, circa 1865

Although unmarked, is it highly likely this cabinet was ordered from Holland & Sons. It is worth comparing the present cabinet with the Royal furniture made for Marlborough House. A cabinet from Marlborough House, previously with Butchoff, signed and branded, not only employs similar thuya and walnut veneers, but uses identical ‘acorn’ accented gilt bronze mounts, an idiosyncratic feature only encountered on these documented pieces.

The present cabinet in the Drawing Room at Whitbourne Hall, alonside matching furniture including a table currently in the Butchoff Collection.

Object History

Provenance:
Whitbourne Hall, supplied by Cowtan & Co, “Very handsome Marqueterie [sic] & Inland [sic] Cabinet in Thuya, walnut and purplewood, richly mounted with gilt ormolu, inside lined with Utrecht velvet (£145)” in 1866.
Important Sale of the Principal Contents of the Drawing Room of Whitbourne Hall, Worcester; Russel, Baldwin & Bright Fine Art, Hereford, 5 September 1991, lot 1019.

Object Literature

Literature:

Published in ‘British Furniture 1820 to 1920’ by Christopher Payne, 2023, pp. 241-243, illustrated figs. 5.34-5.36

Holland & Sons

Holland & Sons was a preeminent British furniture manufacturer founded in 1803. They quickly gained a reputation for exceptional craftsmanship, earning the prestigious Royal Warrant early in Queen Victoria’s reign. This led to Holland & Sons furnishing many royal residences, including Osborne House, Sandringham, and Windsor Castle.

In addition to royal commissions, the firm played a significant role serving the British government, completing over 300 projects like the Palace of Westminster. They even oversaw the state funeral of the Duke of Wellington.

Apart from their royal and state obligations, Holland & Sons also received celebrated private commissions, such as a suite of furniture for Luton Hoo. Throughout their history, the firm remained at the forefront of design, employing esteemed designers and participating in major international exhibitions.

Whitbourne Hall

Whitbourne Hall was referred to as the ‘modern mansion’ of the Evans family in the 1870s, with the owner, Evans of Whitbourne, serving as High Sheriff and Deputy Lieutenant for Herefordshire. The interiors were lavishly decorated and furnished around 1866 by Cowtan’s, featuring elaborate finishes, an Adam revival style with Louis Quatorze elements, and an original Grecian scheme likely by Elmslie. The extensive costs of development are highlighted by the staggering price of items like the drawing-room window dressings, the furniture (likely supplied by Holland & Sons) and the stable block. The Hall’s status was further cemented by the deferential treatment it received in C. J. Robinson’s 1873 history of Herefordshire mansions.

Object Condition

Excellent condition

Object Details