Object Description
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Dr C Dresser attributed an Aesthetic Movement ebonized display cabinet with incised and gilded zig-zag decoration.
Probably made for Bushloe House.
I was lucky enough to closely examine the Frog wardrobe, dressing table, chest of drawers and dressing table mirror all designed by Dr C Dresser for Bushloe House, when they were on display at Harry Lyons shop in Kensington Church St. London. Comparing them to this display cabinet the findings would suggest they were all made by the same maker. There are many elements within this display cabinet particular to Dressers intimate style.
The display cabinet has a painted mark to the base that reads Betts and a date in pencil for Feb 6 1871, which dates it to the correct time for Bushloe House.
The differing deeply incised gilded details to the shelves of the display cabinet are quite remarkable, and conform to the deeply incised stylised decorative details to the main body, and the upright pillars to each side including the dot and zig-zag details which are all used in much of Dressers design work.
The Knurl post at Bushloe house had the same style of carving to the top of the door pillars here.
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