circa 1860-80, mahogany veneer, oak and pine secondary, two-part form, each having a shaped top with a carved gadrooned border, three graduated serpentine front cockbeaded drawers, the upper chest set within a conforming relief carved frame featuring acanthus leaf and rope twist, raised on tall cabriole legs with scrolled acanthus leaf feet. 31.5 x 31.5 x 19.75 in. An excellent example for this form, and rare to find a matched pair. Frank Partridge belongs to the fourth generation of one of Englanda€?s major art dealing families. Founded in 1900 by the present Frank Partridgea€?s great grandfather, the business opened a gallery almost opposite Christiea€?s in King Street (which is the address of the label to one chest), dealing in the very finest English and French furniture and Chinese porcelain. When these premises were bombed in 1939 Frank Partridge Snr moved his business to the famous a€?Partridgea€? building opposite Sothebya€?s in New Bond Street. During this period, Partridgea€?s received the Royal Warrant as Purveyors of Fine Art to Queen Mary, a frequent visitor to the gallery. Additional high-resolution photos are available at LelandLittle.com
First chest with shrinkage cracks to top; upper right pull missing; second drawer cockbeading loss to right side; second chest bearing applied label "Frank Partridge Works of Art 26 King St. and St. James New York"; with shrinkage cracks; cut and patch to right front corner of top; cockbeading cut and repair to right side of top drawer; missing left pull to lower drawer; general wear and scraping to both; as-is estate condition.