A Pair of George III Goncalo Alves Demilune Cabinets

Circa 1800

having fully mahogany-lined interiors; one with fittings with typed depository label that reads 'Mrs. Bouverie-Pusey'.
Height 32 3/4 x width 31 x depth 18 inches.

This lot is located in Chicago.

Provenance:

Pusey House, Berkshire;

thence by descent to Mrs. Philip Bouverie Pusey (1876-1959);

Christie's, London, 18 October 1951, Lot 133, illustrated (1155 gns)

Pelham Galleries, London

Hotspur Ltd., London, 1985

Note:

This pair of highly figured cabinets were once part of the contents of Pusey House, Oxfordshire. Originally designed by John Sanderson in 1753, this Georgian mansion was connected with the Bouverie-Pusey family from 1784 when it was left to Philip Bouverie (1746-1828), who changed his name to Bouverie Pusey upon his inheritance. It remained in the family until 1935 when it was sold two years after the death of Philip Bouverie Pusey (1867-1933).

His widow sold some of the furnishings from Pusey House, including these two cabinets, in three separate auctions at Christie’s in the 1950s. Interestingly, this pair of cabinets were the most expensive of the twenty-eight lots offered, out-performing the two pieces of Kentian furniture originally supplied to Wilton House, Surrey which were a gift of the 2nd Earl of Carnarvon, the father of Lady Emily Herbert when she married Philip Bouverie-Pusey (1799-1855) in 1822. The remaining furniture was very likely equally desirable as the leading furniture dealers of the era, including Mallett, Rodney Lee and Leonard Knight are recorded purchasing a third of this group.