Footnotes

The heraldic inlay to the small central door located inside the hinged bureau fall of the offered lot depicts a demi-lion rampant issuing from a coronet. During the early 18th century, heraldic design involving lions usually depicts heads or complete bodies, whereas a demi-lion might be expected from the late 18th century onwards and into the 19th century.

It is possible to speculate that the present inlay is associated with the Bromley family, since the crest surmounting their coat of arms is comprised of a demi-lion issuing from a ducal coronet which seems at first sight to be related. An example, dated 1703, from a book plate attributed to William Bromley of Bagington, Warwickshire, displays a similar lion passant device, although importantly this comparable crest includes a spear and pennant gules charged with a lion passant. These elements are absent from the device inlaid into the offered bureau cabinet. Also of note is the fact that the blazon of the original crest specifies a mural crown rather than a ducal coronet, whilst the lion itself is full and not demi.

All of which discrepancies suggest that the family were operating with free licence when using the original grant of arms applied to their possessions. Such a discretion might have been carried out at a later stage and as a result we may have the crest occurring as seen on the above. However, unfortunately without knowledge of this piece's historic provenance ultimately it has not proven possible to identify. It could be a product more of artistic licence from the 19th century than a direct reference to a specific early 18th century heraldic design.

Two further possibilities include crests each comprised of a lion's head and shoulders (no paws) issuing from a ducal coronet. These crowning elements might relate to two separate historic coats of arms. One pertaining to Edward Ward Baron Dudley and the other to Henry Boyle Baron Carleton. But this of course, whilst interesting, only adds to the overall uncertainty.

We are grateful to Roger Whitworth for the research, information and content involved in this footnote.