Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868-1928), a cypress wood and brass writing cabinet, formerly green stained, with large stylized fret work foliate hinges, heart escutcheons and conforming handles to the central drawer. A fold down writing area with drawers, pigeon holes and a shelf behind, the lower section with two shelves retaining it's original brass rail for a curtain.
This Writing cabinet is the same style of furniture that Mackintosh designed for John Henderson. For similar see Kaplan, Wendy (editor) 'Charles Rennie Mackintosh', pl. 159. opposite p. 233. The original furniture Mackintosh designed for Guthrie and Wells was made from cypress wood and stained green and of simple construction. This unique style and construction are the same. Behind the hinges and handles the original green stain is still quite vibrant. The keyhole escutcheons are identical to the linen press with candle sconces that Mackintosh designed for John Henderson, one of the earliest known surviving pieces he designed. The back treatment of this present lot is the same and has just three wide boards which run from the top right to the floor. The side treatment is also from the top straight to the ground quite typical of Mackintosh. For this see Kaplan, Wendy (editor) 'Charles Rennie Mackintosh', p. 232, fig 160 and Billcliffe, Roger 'Charles Rennie Mackintosh: The Complete Furniture, Furniture Drawings, and Interior Designs', p.34, fig. 1895.6. The metalwork is identical on some pieces and very similar on others, see the Billcliffe work above, p. 33, fig. 1895.2 and 1895.3 for washstand and dressing table handles...
Category
Late 19th Century Scottish Arts and Crafts Antique Cypress Desks and Writing Tables