Description:
A superb dramatic William IV rosewood  compendium table cabinet of lofty architectural form  having turned rosewood feet and handles. It is inlaid with mother of pearl and opens both to the top and the and the front. 

Origin: UK 

Circa: 1835. 

Materials: Rosewood, mother silk leather  of pearl.

Size:   30.5cm wide by 36.5cm high  by 24.7cm deep: 12 inches wide by 14.4 inches high  by 9.7 inches deep.    

Condition: very good both outside and inside. 

 

 

The compendium is  the personal space for the owner and has a fully fitted sewing tray complete with its original thread spools, drawers for jewelry, and a folding writing box  with a mother of pearl handled pen.

The top lifts to reveal a fully fitted sewing box. It has 8 mother of pearl spools, cut crystal scent bottle all set off with brocaded silk and gold  embossed  leather.

In the lid is a mirror  fielded with a gold embossed leather frame. This opens down to reveal a document wallet and yet another compartment.

Detail of the top: the architectural shape is emphasized by the turned gadrooning and the cavetto molding. 

 

There is a working lock and key. The escutcheon is turned mother of pearl. 

The key is particularly attractive.

 The mother of pearl inlay contrasts with the rich dark of the rosewood. Although the motif  has total control of technique it has the fluidity of the natural flowers it depicts. It is a time consuming job inlaying such elements to this fineness. 
The inlay is stylized and symmetrical according to the neoclassical tradition and the grace of naturalism

 The turned  rosewood feet lift the cabinet giving a lightness.

 The turned rosewood handles are inlaid with mother of pearl accents. the two handles differ but both are likely to be original. 

 The doors open to reveal 3 drawers. The top is blind and is the front of the fitted sewing tray.  The middle two are for nickknacks and jewelry. 

 Detail of the embossed white metal (silver although not marked) penknife and stiletto. The gold embossed leather is of particularly high quality.

Detail of the mother of pearl toped spools. Although these spools are designed to come apart to accommodate the new thread which was supplied on reels, the thread has been directly wound onto them. 

 Detail of the gold embossing on one of the lids. It is in the detail that this box is marked out as being exceptional.  The handle is lifted from the leather by a mother of pearl plate in the form of a chrysanthemum 

 Detail of the embossed white metal (silver although not marked) penknife and stiletto. The gold embossed leather is of particularly high quality.

 Detail of the cut crystal scent bottle.

 One of the drawers is lined with brocaded silk. The drawer fronts are solid rosewood.

The bottom drawer is a complete writing box with gold embossed writing tablet. It is in immaculate condition having a pentray, pen, and original inkwell.

 The writing box has embossed leather both to its top and the writing tablet.

Some details of the beautiful pen which has a carved mother of pearl handle. 

Detail of the gold embossing on the writing tablet. 

The top contains a document wallet with a Regency silk front. 

See: http://www.hygra.com/cabinets.htm 

and Figure 524 Antique Boxes, Tea Caddies, and Society -- 1700--1880, ISBN: 0764316885  Antigone Clarke & Joseph O'Kelly, A Schiffer Book for collectors..