Lot 239Y
A Regency scarlet tortoiseshell and brass marquetry desk stand attributed to George Bullock
4 November 2015, 12:00 GMT
London, New Bond Street£1,200 - £1,800
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A Regency scarlet tortoiseshell and brass marquetry desk stand attributed to George Bullock
Inlaid with stylised hop leaves, flowers and scrolls, the rectangular dished tray with rounded ends, fitted with two glass ink pots with brass marquetry inlaid lids, with a central rectangular glass open pot, 39cm wide, 27cm deep, 10cm high (15in wide, 10 1/2in deep, 3 1/2in high). (3)
Footnotes
A similar inkstand in ebony and inlaid in ivory can be seen illustrated in the Blairman's publication, George Bullock, Cabinet-Maker, figure 24, it was described in a bill which formed part of the Tew Archive invoiced by Bullock to Matthew Robinson Boulton in 1817. The designs for the side panels, which are almost identical to the inkstand offered can be found in Wilkinson's Tracings, (p.123 and unbound numbers 241,242 and 249).
There were apparently several lots in the catalogue of the Bullock Sale of 1819 described as a 'tray-shaped inkstand' and in various finishes. Martin Levy notes a rosewood and brass inlaid example in contre-partie on the London market in 1987, but without carrying handles (as shown here) and bottles. Another example, of circular form, was sold Christies, London, 23 April 2009, lot 1 (£8500). This ink stand was also in scarlet tortoiseshell and brass, but with mother-of-pearl inlay and lacking bottles. It was noted that the circular pattern could have been created for Queen Charlotte as she was a visitor to Bullock's establishment at the Grecian Rooms, Piccadilly in 1812. A similar example described as 'A very sumptuous circular ink stand, of the late George Bullock's Buhl manufacture with richly cut glass' was included in the Queen's effects sold anonymously, Christie's, London as 'The Remaining part of a valuable Collection of Curiosities (works of art)...' 24-26 May 1819, lot 38.
Another similar but slightly smaller example was sold in these rooms, 3 March 2010, lot 143.