Carrington Moor

Presented for your consideration is a rare & most desirable lady's writing table.

It is stamped with a "crown" & "VR" on each of the brass locks fitted to the frieze drawers, the right drawer is stamped 1 64, & the frame is stamped "1 64".

It was manufactured in London January 1864 in the then popular Continental style of Napoleon III & of the reign 1852 - 1870. It was commissioned for a department of the English Crown & bears the stamp of Queen Victoria.

The design is elegant & it is comfortably functional. It is strictly of Parisian form & structure.

It is extremely well built. Every panel is embellished with precision gilt engaving. The bell capped, fluted legs are exquisite.

Each demi lume end section comprises a hinged lid revealing a fully fitted classical stationery compartment. 

The height is a traditional 31", the width is 22 1/2" & the length is 46".

This writing table is perfectly original.

The quality of manufacture is superlative. The craftsmanship is of the highest precision grade. It is made from the most choice cut of Honduras mahogany. The drawer construction is select mahogany with no secondary timber employed. Stationery separators are spruce.

The structure is undamaged & has no evidence of repair, borer activity or rot. The ebonised finish is absolutely original & displays a mellow, appropriate patination. The gilding is original, intact & nicely matured. The brass locks, brass hinges & brass framed, crown ferruled, black porcelain casters are original & none have been removed, replaced or repaired. Both locks operate perfectly & it is complete with key & tassel.

The olive green, gilded, tooled leather top is original & has been professionally conserved. It is suitable for everyday use.

Drawer runners show some wear, however the drawers are tight fitting & operate smoothly.

A Memorandum of Valuation (Antique Dealers Association) of $1,000 dated 1982 is included.

This is an original Australian Cedar Wardrobe of substantial historical significance.

It was commissioned by the Roman Catholic Church (St. Augustine's Balmain) to be made by Sydney cabinetmakers Alex W. Norton for the opening of the Convent of the Immaculate Conception on 22 April 1877. Provenance will be provided to the purchaser.

It is original, complete & unmodified.

It shows an original ink on paper label "ALEX W. NORTON CABINETMAKER UPHOLSTERER & COMMISSION AGENT FROM RAPHAEL & Co.'s late LENEHAN'S Furniture carefully removed 54 HUNTER STREET SYDNEY. This particular label, showing the address of 54 Hunter street, represented the workshop trading period 1873 to 1877.

Alexander William Norton (1827 -1909) was employed by Andrew Lenehan as the workshop production superintendant. In 1869 he & another employee of Lenehan, cabinetmaker Henry W. Strong, opened their own cabinetmaking business. The workshop was renowned for high quality cabinetmaking & much gothic & church related furniture was produced. The business continued into the early 20th century.

Alex Norton judged at the intercolonial exhibition Sydney 1870 & exhibited at the international exhibition Sydney 1879 where he was awarded numerous, well documented, high commendations.

Examples of Norton's various maker's labels plus photographs of his cabinet work can be found on numerous pages in "Nineteenth Century Australian Furniture" by Fahey, Simpson & Simpson.

The quality of manufacture is, as expected of the manufacturer, of the highest possible grade. The entire wardrobe is constructed of select cuts of Australian Cedar & the finish is absolutely original. The backing is perfect & is of face grade cedar.

The patination is warm, mellow & well polished. It has not been damaged, repaired, stripped, cleaned, repolished or modified. It is pristine.

The design is strictly classical & of Grecian proportion. The feature panelled doors are framed with Norton's trademark deep oval section mouldings which are then repeated in the plinth & pediment. The figured cedar ogee pediment is perfectly balanced by the 4 inch plinth skirt.

The structure is sound without splits, cracks, rot or borer activity. The full joinery, dovetailed drawer fits & slides well. Every panel is a precision fit. Five removable cedar shelves are fitted to the right hand side. They are original & the leading edges are reeded.

The brass lock operates perfectly & it is complete with original key. The left hand door is fitted with top & bottom recessed brass shot bolts.

The "campaign" brass handle fitted to the boot drawer is original & is numbered.

The original moulded dust strip is intact. All interior coathooks are original. Each side is fitted with a gothic brass (budded cross) coathook.

Dimensions are 83 inches tall, 54 inches wide & 24 inches deep. The interior depth is 18 inches which accommodates a modern coathanger.

The wardrobe dismantles into two sections - the main body & the pediment (top).

This is a rare & desirable example of early Australiana that has impeccable credentials. It will suit the most discerning Australiana collector or connoiseur of early labelled Australian furniture. It represents a strong, blue chip investment.

Similar wardrobes currently serve as useful legal bookcases, file storage presses & cloak hangers. As such they provide substantial accounting benefits.

This is an original Stationmaster's wardrobe that was purchased at the NSW Railway auction clearance sale at the old Darling Harbour railway siding over 25 years ago when it was closed.

It is original, complete & unmodified - all three sections match by numbered stamps. It shows an original ink stamp label "Supplied by J.T. SHARP IMPORTER & MANUFACTURER BALMAIN" to the top surface of the base. The back of the centre section is stamped 0055, the back of the pediment is stamped 0055, & the back of the base is stamped 76 0055. The brass door lock is stamped "crown" VR. The mirror backing board, which is solid 3/8" pine, was removed to reveal the original brushed orange backing. It was covered in antique dust & dated in copperplate lead writing "Jan 1876". "GR" (Government Railways) is stamped in ink to the top surface of the centre section & can be seen by climbing onto a ladder & looking over the pediment.

The quality of manufacture is superlative. The entire wardrobe is constructed of select cuts of Australian Kauri Pine 1" thick & the finish is absolutely original. The patination is warm, mellow & well polished. It has not been damaged, repaired, stripped, cleaned, repolished or modified.

The structure is sound without splits, cracks, rot or borer activity & the full joinery, dovetailed drawer fits & slides well.

Both brass locks operate perfectly & it is complete with key.

The "campaign" brass handles are original & are undamaged.

The original dust strip is intact.

One brass coathook is missing.

Dimensions are 83 inches tall, 44 inches wide & 18 1/2 inches deep. The interior depth is 17 inches which accommodates a modern coathanger.

The wardrobe dismantles into three sections - the base including drawer, the centre section including the mirrored door & the pediment (top).

This is a rare & desirable piece of early Australiana that has an impeccable pedigree. It will suit the most discerning collector of Railway memorabilia or connoiseur of early signed Australian furniture.

Offered for your consideration is a very fine French Bedside Cabinet in the Henry II style & of the Napoleon III period. It was made in Paris around 1865.

It is a rare & most desirable cabinet that would satisfy the most descerning collector or decorator. It is absolutely original & complete with original hardware & marble.

It is made of select walnut with secondary framing & drawer structure in white oak. The top is fitted with an exceptional slab of finely coloured rouge marble & the interior of the cabinet is fitted with white veined grey marble.

The quality of build is of the finest calibre. It is precision made in the strictest of Parisian tradition. The joinery shows mortise & tenon joints secured with French pins (goujon). 

The degree of difficulty in producing turnings, cockbeaded fielded panels & detailed, compound mouldings is extremely high. The barley twist colums & pillasters are matching left & right hand spirals. The stretcher finial & delicate ebonised bun feet are 17th century inspired.

The drawer shows authentic asymetrical French dovetails to both front & rear joints.

Fittings are handforged iron. The handles (fitted with arabesque straps) & hinges are original & period correct.

The traditional steeple hinges allow the door to be easily removed from the cabinet if required. 

The polish is original & it sparkles. It shows a very fine patina that is warm & mellow. The colour is a very desirable rich, natural walnut with highlights in ebony japanning.

The structure is sound & rigid with no movement or damage. The drawer operates perfectly & shows no wear. The door opens & closes neatly & the door knob turns to engage a lever lock.

Dimensions are traditional at 38 inches tall, 18 inches wide & 15 inches deep.

This is a classic & highly desirable Bedside Cabinet that projects an authentic Parisian presence. It would add opulence & period atmosphere to any room.

Offered for your consideration is an absolutely original Australian Cedar Chest of drawers.

It was made in Sydney around 1875 & it is preserved in PRISTINE, original, untouched condition. It is of museum quality - a prime example of colonial Australian furniture.

The structure is sound with no movement, rot of any kind, evidence of borer activity or damage. The drawers have not been interfered with in any way. The dawer sides & frame runners are perfectly original & in good operational order & the drawer stops are all intact. All brass locks, brass disc escutcheons, mother of pearl insert knob handles & brass campaign handles are original & perfect. The top, & both sides are all single boards & have no splits. The top radius crossbanding is original & intact. The original plinth floor pads are intact & in perfect condition. The backboards are original & remain in perfect condition.

All timber cuts, including drawers, are select North Coast Australian Cedar excepting backboards which are North Coast Australian Hoop Pine.

The finish needs to be seen to be fully appreciated - unfortunately the provided photographs are a poor & unworthy representation. It is SUPERLATIVE. This chest has clearly been well cared for & regularly polished. It shows a warm, mellow patina & a spectacular deep red colour.

The quality of build is unusually high. The selection of timber, quality of construction & choice of hardware confirms the hand of a master cabinetmaker. Each drawer is marked with an ink stamp however no makers label has been found.

I have a similar piece of furniture that is stamped "J.T. Sharp Balmain" & dated 1876. This chest is thought to be made by the same maker.

Dimensions are strictly traditional at 50 inches tall, 42 inches wide & 18 inches deep.

This chest of drawers would satisfy the most discerning cedar collector & represents a blue chip investment.

Presented for your consideration is a classic Victorian tilt top loo table. The design is clearly French influenced & of the period of Napoleon III. It was made in England around 1865.

The construction is Walnut & the oval top is quarter veneered in figured Walnut, inlayed with Cedar & Ebony & finished in Boxwood stringing. The skirt is veneered in quartersawn Walnut & again finished with Boxwood stringing. It is structurally sound & the elaborate birdcage base has no joint movement. It is fitted with it's original iron framed porcelain casters which are in good condition. The bearers are original & have not been replaced or moved. The brass hand clasp is original & the brass & iron thumb screws are original. The tilt action operates perfectly. The number 824 is stamped in ink under the top & in three positions to the base.

The finish is absolutely original & it displays a warm & mellow patina. It shows character marks & finish distressing all of which are commensurate with age & substantiate its authenticity.

The elaborate birdcage base shows fine gothic turnings, elaborate socle & a grand finial.

Dimensions are traditional at 48 inches by 36 inches & 28 inches in height.

A loo table was traditionally designed for two to four people to play cards or take tea. It is ideal the use as an occasional table, fold & wheel away to form a classic, decorative, period feature.

Please examine the provided photographs - they show an accurate description of the table. It is a very good example of extravagant mid Victorian design.

Offered for your consideration is an original 18th century Chinese sideboard.

It shows a good deal of character in its well used & carefully preserved condition.

The structure is sound with no movement. The quality of build is exceptional. There is mortise & tenon joinery & hand forged iron rivets right through the structure. The cantilever servery top is elm, the posts & much of the bracing is elm & the panelling is baltic pine. The construction is solid & heavy. The feet are in excellent condition & are not suffering rot. The hinges are in good original condition & operate well. The bronze handle has been replaced with a reproduction similar to the original.

It is 34 inches tall, 45 inches wide & 23 inches deep.

This is an original bell pattern 8" quadrant sextant marked 'Heath & Co. Ltd. Crayford London S. E. The case is original & is plated "Bell Pattern No. 1".

George Heath (1801 - 1872) founded the scientific instrument business & traded together with his sons. The business was only registered in Crayford London for a short period of time.  From my research I have estimated that it was made between 1870 & 1874.

This item is an elite example of the No. 1 pattern sextant & in it's day would have been bought for a substantial sum. It is extremely well made.

The sextant is in perfect original, unmodified, undamaged condition & is complete with it's full compliment of lenses, filters & accessories - nothing is missing. It operates without flaw & every screw is original, free & fully functional. It reads accurately & the calibrations are sharp & clear.

The handle is Rosewood with a white bone finishing plate.

The fitted mahogany dovetailed & brass screwed case measures 10 1/2 inches x 9 1/2 inches x 5 1/2 inches. It is fitted with a brass piano hinge, operational brass till lock with spring loaded twist knob, twin cylinder catches & brass recessed campaign handle - all of which are original. The brass monogram shield is not inscribed. The finish is absolutely original & it shows an appropriate, well polished, mellow patina.

An original 19th century bell pattern Brittish quadrant sextant in untouched, complete condition is becomming increasingly difficult to procure & as such represents a secure & prudent investment.

This is a rare & most desirable Fan Back Windsor Armchair - they don't come any better.

It was manufactured around 1840 in Yorkshire Northern England.

The admiralty influenced design is unique & elegant. It reflects Nelson's victory at the battle of Trafalgar. The cross stretcher base is extremely rare & shows the form of yardarm & cannon astrigal. There are numerous historic Masonic symbols integrated into the design.

The seat is completely circular in form & is saddle contoured with a profound pointed pommel.

The seat height is a traditional 18" & the overall height is 37".

The quality of manufacture is superlative. It is completely handmade with early hand tools. There are 27 individual components. The turning was completed on a provincial reciprocating bow lathe. Each spindle has a subtle taper & is perfectly formed. It is precision made with no deviation in any dimension.

The timber employed is select, tight grained mahogany - the finest available at that time.

The finish is perfectly original & well cared for by regular wax polishing. It shows an extremely desirable, mellow patina.

The structure is sound & rigid & has no evidence of borer activity or rot.

This is an important Northern English made Windsor chair of substantial significance.

A rare & desirable Railway Clock presented in pristine, original condition. The case is English Oak, the bezel is polished brass & the traditional 30 hour fusee movement is brass. The rear end plate is stamped "Tameside England" & the case is dated 1882. It is complete with its original micro adjustable iron pendulum & original iron key. It keeps accurate time

This is an unusual & important Japanese Chest. It bears the makers label of W. H. Rocke & Co. which, from my research, dates to 1907.

It is a traditional Chest as was typically owned & used by the Japanese ruling class during the 19th & early 20th Century.

The quality of design & build is of the finest possible callibre. The external timbers are select persimmon. The front lining board & drawer bases are, for strategic reasons, camphorwood. The drawer fronts are maple & the drawer sides & back are elm.

The precision joinery is a work of art. It is a combination of pinned mortise & tennon, symetrical dovetailing & rarely seen dumbell joints.

The elaborate metalware is absolutely original. It is a selection of brass & bronze & is complete with the original boxlock & key.

The finish appears to be black iron oxide ink which was customary for a chest of this era. It shows a good patina.

Dimensions are 36" in height, 43" in width & 19" in depth. It is extremely heavy. 

The condition is PRISTINE. It is original, complete & unmodified.

William Henry Rocke commenced business in Melbourne 1854 & the business, later operated by his decendants, continued until 1934. It was one of Australia's most prestigious cabinetmaking manufacturers of the colonial era & was well renowned for commissions to Melbourne high society. His work is represented in the National Gallery of Victoria, numerous private collections & is well documented (15 pages) in "19th Century Australian Furniture" Simpson & Fahey. His work was first exhibited in 1854 & thence in all ensuing intercolonial & intercontinental exhibitions during the 19th century. 

This is a rare & most desirable Twin Pedestal Sideboard that was made in London around 1830.

The elegant design is strictly Regency period George IV with its Thomas Hope scrolls & Obelisk pedestal panels. The freize exhibits three drawers in breakfront configuration.

The design & application of the joinery is unmistakably early 19th century. The backboards are original & perfect.

It is made of select Mahogany. The sideboard top & much of the structure is solid Mahogany. The drawer framing is 100% solid mahogany.

The quality of build is of the finest calibre. The drawers are very accurately made & display fine, Georgian dovetails both front & back. The elaborate mouldings & stop beads are period correct & precision made.

The three freize drawers retain their original royal blue baize linings & the centre drawer is fitted. The cellarette drawer is built with 44 dovetails.

The fasteners are parrallel (non tapered) handmade iron screws.

The runners & drawer slides are original & in excellent condition.

The pedestal doors are left & right hand opening & are fitted with the original brass locks & are complete with two original iron keys. They operate perfectly & are stamped " Crown G.R." (George Rex). 

The polish is original & displays a good, well polished shine. It shows a very fine patina that is warm & mellow. The colour is a very desirable rich, red mahogany.

The structure is sound & rigid with no movement, damage or repair. There is no evidence of borer activity or rot. There are no splits, cracks or separation of boards. The two pedestals support the top by locaton blocks & it is easily dismantled for transportation.

Dimensions are traditional at 66 inches long, 24 inches deep, 36 inches at sideboard height & 44 inches total height.

This is a classic & highly desirable twin pedestal sideboard that is, unusually, undamaged & unmodified. It would add class & a regal atmosphere to any room - I have not seen a better example.