Object Description
A superb and fine olive oyster chest on stand from the reign of King William & Queen Mary (1689-1702) England.
The rectangular top with ogee moulded edge, inlaid with holly stringing in geometric patterns on a ground of olive oysters, above two short drawers and two long graduating oak-lined drawers each fitted with drop handles and centred with cast and pierced gilt cherub mask escutcheon, elevated on a stand with freeze drawer, later twist legs, shaped stretcher and bun feet.
The entire piece is beautifully veneered and incredibly well thought out. To the top alone there is over 100 hand cut oysters of olive that have each been shaped into hexagons. The long drawers are cross banded, lined with ebony, banded in olive oysters each cut into octagons, lined in ebony, cross-banded, lined in ebony again and detailed with book-matched oysters to each side in break arch reserves formed with ebony stringing. Remarkable.
It should be noted that this is an extremely accomplished piece indeed.