Box House Antiques Ltd.

George I-period, early-18th century solid walnut armchair (or elbow chair) of rich colour and patina. Circa 1720-1730. Very-well drawn, restrained. Of lovely proportions. An elegant...

A Queen Anne period, early 18th-century walnut chest on stand, beautifully constructed and well figured throughout. Elegant canted corners. The upper section features a moulded corni...

A good-quality small George lll-period mahogany chest of drawers with brushing slide, of beautiful colour. The solid mahogany rectangular top with moulded edge above a brushing slid...

An unusual early-19th century Colonial solid satinwood-faced chest of drawers, with cupboards below. Circa 1820. The carcass in solid rosewood and ebony. It features a broad ebony c...

A 19th-century Cockpen armchair in excellent condition throughout. This is of wonderful Chinese Chippendale design: a pierced back of a rarely-encountered scheme. Most have a typica...

A 19th-century oil on canvas - manner of Zacharias Noterman. Monkeys in an interior.  Well painted, very-decorative oil painting very much in the manner of Zacharias Noterman. Monk...

A rare early-18th century carved cut gesso and giltwood mirror. Early-George II. Circa 1730. The boldly-carved acanthus and rosettes to the broken swan-neck pediment is centred by e...

A fine and rare early 19th-century Chinese export lacquer coffer/ trunk. Circa 1820. Decorated in soft red, gold and black with exquisite land- and sea-scape scenes within elegant a...

A large English George III-period carved oval giltwood mirror. Mid-18th century. Flanked, in an elegantly-shaped frame, by a well-carved foliate border, incorporating crisply-carved...

A fine and rather rare Ceylonese early-19th century colonial ebony and specimen wood occasional table raised on a well-carved solid ebony support displaying elephants and scrolled fo...

An 18th-century gilt japanned/ lacquer chinoiserie cabinet. Displaying exotic birds, pagodas, rock work over water, and floral decoration. Fine and beautifully-chased gilt brass/met...

A classic Chippendale-period secretaire breakfront library bookcase in well-figured mahogany. Early-George III, circa 1760. Of excellent colour, patina, and condition throughout. Th...

An English early-eighteenth century red japanned bow-front corner cupboard, or cabinet, George II-period, circa 1730. In superb condition throughout. Retaining its original butterfly hinges, with a period key and working lock. These are usually encountered with a black background, however when in red these examples of japanning are much sought after. Many were produced domestically, often by talented female members of the family. Note the charming English interpretations in the decorated surfaces. An unusual subject can be seen in the base, a hunter on horseback with sword drawn, confronting a mythological beast, probably representing a tiger with mandarins posing amongst stylised pagodas, rooftops and rockwork. Chinoiserie-decorated surfaces were extremely popular in the early part of the 18th century, almost reaching a craze among the upper classes wishing to demonstrate their fashionable status. There were several revivals of chinoiserie particularly in the first quarter of the 20th century, so caution is advised in one’s collecting. This type of decoration is also sometimes erroneously referred to as ''lacquer’'. The fashion icon Coco Chanel furnished her exquisite Paris apartments largely in the European chinoiserie taste. References: V & A – The development of English black japanning 1620-1820, A History of Japanning in England: Technique & Decoration. John Stalker and George Parker...

A fine and rare English revolving drum-top library table in mahogany, attributed to Gillows of Lancaster, circa 1770. This is a rare, compact form of a George lll-period drum-top library table in superb condition, retaining excellent colour and patina throughout. The circular top fitted with green leather insert with gilt-embossed border rotates. The six working drawers retain their original brass handles - some of these frieze drawers with subdivisions for monies/ documents - faced with ivory numbers 1-6. (Unique Ivory Licence Ref Number: 8G11KAG4). The fully-rotating top retaining its original internal steel castors, raised on a cabinet base with a locking cupboard - with original lock, period key and original brass pull - and a shelf within. The moulded panel above a generous plinth. These are sometimes referred to as 'rent' tables when they have a recess for depositing cash. This library table has divisions in secure drawers fulfilling much the same purpose of receiving rent from an Estate's tenant(s). The base would typically contain larger account books...

A sophisticated Queen Anne-period chinoiserie japanned chest raised on elegant cabriole legs with ''pony foot'' carved detailing. This early-18th century chest on stand demonstrates the charming and highly fashionable English domestic interpretation of oriental scenes of pagodas, rockwork, trees, ornamental bridges, mythical birds, and figures dressed in the oriental manner, holding parasols and cavorting in gardens. All in remarkable condition having survived some three hundred years. Chests on cabriole supports of this form were also very much in fashion in the American colonies during this early Queen Anne-period (1702-1714). Sometimes erroneously referred to as ‘'lacquer''. The fashion icon Coco Chanel furnished her exquisite Paris apartments largely in the European chinoiserie taste. References: V & A Museum, London - The development of English black japanning 1620-1820. Literature and further reading: John Stalker and George Parker...

An English Chippendale-period carved giltwood mirror. Mid-18th century, ca 1755. Flanked, in a delicately-shaped frame, by carved fruit, bold C scrolls and foliage: very typical of ...

A fine and rare pair of English Regency-period mahogany sofa tables of elegant design. Early-19th century, ca 1811 - 1820. Note the beautifully-figured, matched mahogany & satinwoo...

A rare, small, English early-18th century walnut bureau bookcase/ cabinet with a moulded swan-neck pediment. Circa 1727-1730. On the cusp of the late-George I period and the early-Ge...

A rare Chinese polychrome Coromandel or ‘Bantam Ware’ lacquer casket or table cabinet. Kangxi period (1661-1722). Circa 1700. This fine small Chinese-export lacquer fitted casket is decorated overall with polychrome incised decoration. Opening with two doors revealing a red interior with fitted drawers and a hinged rising top. In superb, almost entirely original condition, retaining its vivid colours and fine details with courtiers in a pavilion and on horseback amidst foliage and formal palace gardens. The small bun-type feet are historical replacements. Interestingly bearing an antique-script inventory #25 and A I on the base. Nb. Bantamwork or Coromandel lacquer, not to be confused with ''japanning'', is the term applied to decoration that is cut into a layer of gesso and then lacquered in colours. Much of the lacquer was transhipped from China through Coromandel in India, or the Dutch colony Batavia, Java. References: Coromandel lacquer or 'Bantamwork', with its characteristic incised decoration, was made in Henan province in Northern China from the latter-part of the Ming dynasty and exported to Europe from the end of the 17th Century through the East India Company's and VOC trading posts on the Coromandel Coast of India. The technique consisted in overlaying a base of wood with a series of increasingly fine white clays and fibrous grasses. Over this surface, lacquer was applied and polished before the design was incised and the hollowed out portions filled with colour and gilt and finished with a clear lacquer to protect it. Although John Stalker and George Parker used the term 'Bantamwork', the contemporary layman usually called it 'cutt-work', 'cutt Japan' or 'hollow burnt Japan'. Stalker and Parker discuss two types of 'Bantam-work' - flat and incised - in their 'Treatise on Japanning and Varnishing' (1688), noting that it 'was done in colors mix't with a gum water'. They also considered that it was 'almost obsolete, and out of fashion, out of use and neglected....' although admitted that 'it was very pretty, and some are more fond of it, and prefer it to the other...'. This casket/ table cabinet now on offer is related to one formerly with Malletts and illustrated in A. Bowett, 'English Furniture 1660-1714: From Charles II to Queen Anne' (2002) p. 150, plates 5:9. A much larger yet closely-related Bantam work coffer with rising lid was offered in the 'Asian Art in Cologne' sale lot 114 on 11th December 2021. Estimated @ £ 60,000 - £79,000. Mme de Pompadour, mistress to King Louis XV from 1745 to 1751, was an avid collector and admirer of Chinese Coromandel or Bantam Work, and was probably largely responsible for the very high prices recorded for such pieces, sometimes 10 times or more the price of ordinary furniture of equivalent quality. A Coromandel cabinet...

A fine pair of mid-eighteenth century carved mahogany library armchairs attributed to Robert Manwaring, circa 1760. Crisply carved, of superb colour ...

A fine and rare English chinoiserie-decorated occasional table. Early-19th century, circa 1820. The subject matter is extremely rare in that it depicts Europeans in exotic oriental robes. One is seated with an opium pipe; displayed in a polychrome romantic tropical environment with pavilions, rockwork, trellising, foliage, palms, with a peacock and Hoho bird at their feet. Note the very rare and charming depiction of these men with beards. In over 70 years we have never encountered a japanned table showing this European feature. Raised on a gilded, reeded, partly-ebonised column rising from a stylised platform base and spreading, gilded animal...

A rare Chinese Guan Yin figure, early-Ming dynasty (1368-1644). Beautifully-painted carved wood retaining a significant amount of its apparently original polychrome decoration. Some...

An outstanding and very rare, 17th-century Japanese mulberrywood gilt-lacquer cabinet raised on a later stand. This fine and exceptional two-door, gilt-heightened cabinet - reputedly in mountain mulberry wood...

A rare 18th-century mahogany Cockpen open armchair of very good quality. George III-period, ca 1760. This antique armchair is in mahogany with a chinoiserie open-fretwork (or Chines...

An English Regency-period chinoiserie penwork occasional table. George-III period, circa 1815. The unusual rectangular gentle-serpentine top profusely decorated and centred by a chi...

An exceptional pair of English George II-period carved walnut library armchairs. Raised on very well-carved cabriole legs with stylised ball-and-claw feet, each chair with rectangul...

A very well-drawn, highly decorative and sophisticated pair of Regency-style window seats. Finely decorated by hand, in grey, with anthemions (anthemia) and lines on an ebonised grou...

An English Regency-period solid mahogany extending dining table of superb colour and figuring. Early-19th century. Late-George III, circa 1820. Retaining all of its original leaves o...

An English William & Mary-period oyster laburnum and walnut chest, circa 1700. William lll (1650-1702). A classic oyster-veneered chest of two short and three long graduated drawers all faced with exquisite oyster veneers banded in fruitwood. The top with well-chosen oyster inlays...

A very fine Chippendale-period satinwood and marquetry desk. English, George III-period, circa 1770. It is rare today to find an 18th-century satinwood and marquetry-inlaid desk of this quality. (Most offered on the market are 19th/ 20th century). Major, period satinwood pieces have become almost unobtainable. The superbly-controlled and delicate marquetry inlays are reminiscent of the fine decoration on the famous Diana and Minerva Commode by Chippendale at Harewood House...

A fine English mid-18th century mahogany secretaire/ secretary/ bookcase/ china cabinet. Of lovely, deep, rich color, patina and quality. George III-period, circa 1760. The bold, detachable, swan-neck pediment carved with 'Gothic' open fretwork, spiral rosettes and a dentil cornice. The pediment is centred by a small platform below which is a fluted panel. The bookcase / china cabinet section with two, thirteen-pane glazed doors, with three original adjustable shelves with applied beadings for the display of china, books, objets etc. The base with a pull-out writing section fitted with small drawers, two of which have secret releases. These secret drawers are faced with blind-fret 'Gothic' tracery, and centred by a carved, shaped arch. The base with three cock-beaded drawers, and raised on its original bracket feet which are faced with blind fret. This fine, sophisticated and well-proportioned example of a secretaire / secretary / cabinet / desk / bookcase is remarkable for having survived in its original state including all swan-neck handles and locks. Of superb quality, color, patination, and well figured throughout. With mahogany drawer linings: further confirmation of its superlative quality. Measures: 42" wide (107 cm) 23" deep 58.5 cm) 95" high (241 cm) - without cartouche. A related antique bureau cabinet...

A very rare German Baroque (Barock) superbly-carved oval mirror. Early-17th century, circa 1620-1630. The frame is exquisitely carved. The cresting with two cherubs supporting a cartouche, and seated upon displaying eagles. The base centred by a grotesque mask typical of this early period. The oval frame is flanked by boldly-carved Barock scrolls and foliate decoration, the inner frame very well carved with egg and dart. Very minor losses entirely consistent with age. Plate later. Heinrich Kreisel illustrates a related antique mirror (Neuburg/ Donau, 1620/1630) in 'Die Kunst Des Deutschen Möbels Von...

A Queen Anne-period walnut stool. Early-18th century, circa 1710. Upholstered in 17th-century tapestry, and close-nailed. Original stretchers and rails, all firm in the joints. Read...

A large English chinoiserie japanned tôle (tole) tray table. Regency period, early-19th century, circa 1810. The gilt-heightened exotic landscape set on a Venetian-red ground. Depic...

A rare English early-18th century oak geometrically-panelled chest on chest, ca 1710-1720. Queen Anne / George I-period. NB. This is an interesting example of a transition from the...

A fine and very rare set of four English late-18th century satinwood painted armchairs attributed to Seddon, Sons & Shackleton, ca 1790. Nb. It is not only quite difficult to find a...

An English 18th-century carved mahogany library armchair - or bergère - of good rich colour. George III-period, circa 1780. This antique Sheraton-period armchair, sometimes described as a bergère (bergere) chair, is raised on reeded square tapering legs which merge, headed by a carved rosette panel...

A carved giltwood mirror of classic Regency design. Surmounted by a displaying eagle set upon rock work. Circa 1820. The frame surrounded with a geometric-design border with intertwining serpents and oak leaves to the base. Nb. giltwood mirrors with carved serpents...

A fine and rare cellarette attributed to Thomas Hope, ca 1810. In the best quality mahogany with ebony lines and raised on well-carved animal paw feet. Original zinc...

A rare early-18th century Coromandel lacquer corner cupboard or cabinet. This is scarce - high quality Coromandel lacquer work (incised decoration) - not to be confused with the usual English japanned versions. This is also referred to as Bantam work, originating in Bantam, Dutch East Indies, and China, for export to the European market. The subject matter is of a major pavilion with numerous courtiers - most unusual to see only females - it has been suggested that they may be concubines to a Mandarin. All of high quality and in the sought-after and refined chinoiserie taste. In very good unrestored state, retaining vibrant colours and all its original hardware. This is a chic antique, and makes a lovely chinoiserie drinks cabinet...

A rare chinoiserie standing double corner cabinet, or cupboard. English, George I-period, ca 1720. Often erroneously referred to as lacquer work, this is japanned. Beautifully decorated with idyllic scenes of rockwork, pagodas, people, trees, birds, water, with bridges and a boat. This is a lovely and very useful addition to a room - where corners can present furnishing dilemmas - and this is a chic antique drinks cabinet. These have always been very hard to find, as opposed to the more usual Georgian hanging corner cupboards...

A rare George II-period mahogany scalloped-top tripod table. Mid-18th century, circa 1740-1750. The carved, lobed-edge, one-piece top is supported on a birdcage, tapering fluted col...

An English mid-18th century walnut lowboy. George II-period, circa 1750. Of excellent color and patina throughout. Nb. This mid-Georgian walnut lowboy may also be referred to as a side table, dressing table...

A compact-sized 18th-century walnut lowboy / dressing table / vanity. George II period, circa 1750. Raised on cabriole legs, this small English walnut table is only 2' 5'' wide. Ret...

An oil on canvas portrait of a young French courtier, circa 1690. This evocative antique French-school picture has been attributed to the portrait painter Jean-François de Troy (1679-1752). De Troy was famous as a portrait painter of fashionable society women. This is a very attractive late-17th century painting surviving in its original frame and stretcher. The canvas appears to be untouched. References: 'Jean François de Troy, The Alarm, or the Gouvernante Fidèle', at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. 'Jean François de Troy, Paris 1679 - Rome 1752', at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. Laurie G. Winters, Troy, de, Grove Art Online, Oxford Art Online, Oxford University Press, 6 May 2016. Everett Fahy & Jayne Wrightsman...

A fine English George III-period carved and gilt gesso mirror, ca 1765. This exceptional Georgian giltwood mirror is surmounted by a displayi...

Extremely rare dressing table mirror of the William and Mary-period, ca 1690. An English late-17th century japanned and painted dressing table ...

A late 18th century George III period brass-bound mahogany wine cooler, on its original detachable stand of four tapering legs terminating in brass cappings and castors. With apparently original side-carrying handles, the interior has its original lead lining and drainage tap. In very good condition with excellent color and patina. Ca 1790. With its fitted glass top, it can be used as a small antique side...

A rare, diminutive, late-18th century secretaire bookcase / cabinet. George III-period, circa 1790. Mahogany of very good rich color and well patinated. Inlaid and crossbanded throu...

An English fret-carved mahogany wall, or pier, mirror of superb colour and patina. Late-George II period, circa 1760. The unusual, undulating, serpentine inner border is gesso carve...

An impressive carved giltwood and gesso pier glass mirror. 19th century. With a bold shell cresting and trailing flowers in the margins. With a divid...

A pair of antique benches, or forms. One is 18th century, the other later. Of rich, golden color and well-figured. N.b. 2" thick solid planks. Both are sturdy and ready-to-use. Measures: L 7’6" (230 cm) W 10" (25.5 cm) H 1’7" (48 cm). These look great en suite with an antique refectory or farmhouse table, for which they would have been originally designed. This type of bench or form would harmonise well in any interior, whether modern or traditional. During the 16th and 17th centuries refectory...

A rare oil on copper painting of a hawking scene attributed to Carel Van Falens. Circa 1700. A fascinating picture of a hawking scene, with elegant m...

An English oak and walnut chest of drawers of lovely colour and great patina. Charles II-period (1630-1685). The drawer fronts with walnut inserts of superb color. The substantial m...

This fine, scarce, larger than usual, George ll-period table has a baluster-galleried octagonal top supported on a birdcage, allowing the top to both swivel and tilt. Note the fine, tapering, fluted column continuing into a carved collar. The well-drawn cabriole tripod base is foliate-carved at the knees and toes. Of lovely old colour and patina throughout and in original condition. The spindle gallery has a rare and original feature of elegant brass 'spacers' with slightly protruding brass studs. Note the one-piece, beautifully-figured top. A very smart and sophisticated piece. Vis. A similar tripod table from the Percival Griffiths Collection is illustrated in R.W. Symonds 'English Furniture from Charles ll to George ll' (1929) fig. 152. Another was sold from the Frederick Howard Reed Collection, Christies on 16th November 1955. Literature: Ralph Edwards CBE FSA, 'The Shorter Dictionary of English Furniture' (1964), p. 529, fig 8. R.W. Symonds, 'The Present State of Old English Furniture' (1921), fig. 26. col B, p.82. R.W. Symonds, 'English Furniture from Charles II to George II' (1929) from the Percival Griffiths collection (see black and white illustration fig. 190 p. 232). References: An English mahogany tripod of similar date but with a more elaborate support and fretted gallery was sold at Sotheby's New York, on 22nd October 2010 @ $74,500. Bonhams sold a more common 'ball and claw’ piecrust table...

A charming 19th century oil on canvas painting by George Burrell Willcock R.A. (1811-1852). Entitled: "A Gypsy Encampment". Circa 1840. Showing figures camping in a wooded landscap...

A sophisticated blind-fret carved mahogany stool in the Chinese Chippendale style. 19th century. In excellent condition throughout, of good colour and sturdy in the joints. L: 55 c...

An early-18th century Queen Anne-period carved walnut games, or card, table. Circa 1710. Veneered in well-figured walnut with herringbone feather bandings. The bold fold-over outset...

A rare William & Mary-period walnut double-dome bureau bookcase / cabinet. Circa 1685. Of compact size and proportions. In excellent overall condition with old, waxed, well-patinated surfaces of very good color. This bureau bookcase, or cabinet, divides into three separate sections (which helps date it to the last quarter of the 17th century). The bold double-dome pediment and cross-grain mouldings are typical of this period, and are repeated in the side returns. The book-matched, hand-cut veneers are well figured throughout, and are contained within herringbone lines. The bookcase section has candle slides, contains shelves and fitted drawers. Gilded finials are later. The centre section with a quarter-veneered fall reveals a fitted interior, concealed well and a secret compartment. The writing section is raised on a three-drawer base with an unusual and boldly-arcaded apron, in turn raised on its apparently original walnut bun feet. The drawer dividers are faced with cross-grain walnut ‘D’ mouldings. The brass engraved mounts are correct for period but not original, however the locks and hinges are. It is unusual to encounter these early bookcases / cabinets constructed in three stages; an indication of a transition taking place from the 17th century into the 18th century. This is a fine, rare and sophisticated piece of late-17th century walnut furniture...

An oval mahogany wine cooler, George III period, circa 1790. With excellent, unrestored, deep, rich color and patination, and original solid-brass carrying handles to either side. This smart Georgian wine cooler (cellaret or cellarette) retains its original waxed surface and patina. It is brass-bound (of coopered construction) supported on its separate, original stand. Raised on square tapering legs terminating in its original brass cappings and castors. It can be also used as a small side table or lamp table. Comes with a bespoke, clear, safety glass cover. Nb. An antique oval wine cooler of this design is quite rare, and makes a very elegant addition to a dining room sideboard, or an occasional table in a drawing room. By removing the top, some examples of this form of wine cooler were often later converted to be used as jardinières. See Christies, 23rd May 2013, lot 23: a mahogany oval wine cooler sold @ £17,500. Literature: Ralph Edwards CBE FSA 'Shorter Dictionary of English Furniture', Hamlyn, London (Fourth Impression 1972) p. 640: “In late Georgian times the wine cooler was generally a plain mahogany tub hooped with brass and standing on four legs. Mary Kenyon in a letter to her mother (October 30th 1775) wrote that among the furniture in the parlour of her new house in Lincoln’s Inn Fields was a ''handsome cistern of mahogany with brass hoops etc. under the sideboard”. A typical example of a brass-bound wine cooler is shown in a picture by Zoffany, representing William Ferguson...