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Important Colonial Australian Secretaire chest, Sydney origin.…
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Melbourne
Date:
3-Jun-2014
Lot No.
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Description:
Important Colonial Australian Secretaire chest, Sydney origin. Rose mahogany veneer on cedar with fitted huon pine interior. Refined & elegant with cockbeaded drawer & unusual beehive rose mahogany feet with ebonized bands & brass collar capitals. Similarities including the brass collar capitals can be found on Govenor Macquarie's Strathallen specimen chest (see Fahy & Simpson, plate 63). Pencil inscription under drawer 'John M cmahon November 6th 1820'. M cmahon (1801-1850) Australian born was apprenticed c1813 most likely under David Brown who married M cmahon's sister (Mary Elizabeth M cmahon, June 28th 1816).This chest is the earliest signed known piece of Australian furniture by a Colony born furniture maker. Restored in the early 20th century with a second pencil inscription 'This Antique Bureau was restored by A.W.Ormond 14 Pakington St Kew (signature) Antique expert June 20th (19)32'. Pieces of this age & quality are extremely rare. Each of the timbers listed above have been confirmed via microscopic analysis by timber identification expert Jugo Illic. In addition using contemporaneous documents of the period written & signed by M cmahon provide compelling evidence that the signature that appears on the secretaire is that of John M cmahon. Height 109.5 cm, width 107 cm, depth 55 cm
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Unclassified