Butchoff specialises in exceptional, exhibition-quality English and Continental furniture and works from the 18th and 19th centuries, including pieces of royal and noble descent, as well as items made for the celebrated universal exhibitions of London, Paris, Vienna, etc. It is not often that works ‘escape’ from royal residences such as Windsor Castle or Marlborough House, which makes the items in this showcase so rare and of special interest.
This year, Butchoff is celebrating its 55th year as a family-run, third generation business with ‘English Royal Furniture: A Curated Collection.’
A Windsor Castle gothic revival oak centre table
designed by A.W.N Pugin for Morel & Seddon, commissioned by King George IV.
Constructed employing the finest oak timbers and choice pollarded veneers, the round table rising from a triform base, its underside decorated with pointed parcel gilt cusps; the top with reticulated multifoil relief carving. The central hexagonal stem carved with recessed elongated trefoils
supporting fanned ribs in imitation of a Gothic vaulted ceiling. The later frieze ornament, after the original, carved in the Gothic manner, its cusped mullions terminating in pointed floral paterae. The circular top of fine pollard oak and parcel gilt inset with a band of foliate marquetry and pen work, having a stringcourse with boss ornaments below. Delivered to Windsor Castle by Morel &
Seddon, July 1828.
Circa 1828
Dimensions: H: 30 in / 76.5 cm | Dia: 48 in / 122 cm
A highly important & rare royal table made by Morel & Seddon for the Windsor Castle Commission, commanded by George IV
Constructed in Amboyna, with ormolu gilt bronze mounts, having highlights in parcel gilt; rising from ormolu scroll feet cast with lotus decoration, housing its original castors, the parcel gilt end supports carved with a stiff leaf adornments, with the block end platforms conjoined by an upholstered footrest of rectangular form which also serves as a stretcher; the rectangular top edged with a berried leaf ormolu band, and housing a drawer in the frieze: the interior back rail bearing paper inventory labels, ‘Windsor Castle Room 236, No.4 1866’ another ‘235’ and two other labels, ‘R235’ & ‘21’; branded with a marque de fer under the front rail ‘V.R. 1866, Windsor Castle, Room 235’, and having a pencil notation to the underside ‘Room 235, York ***’.
Circa July 1828
Dimensions: H: 30.5 in / 77 cm W: 43 in / 108 cm D: 22.5 in / 57 cm
A magnificent royal cabinet commanded from Holland & Sons for Albert Edward, The Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) and Princess Alexandra, having a marque de fer, the Royal Inventory Mark ‘MH, Crowned’
for their residence, Marlborough House.
Constructed in thuyawood, circassian walnut and rare specimen woods, dressed with a porcelain plaque, and extensively inlaid with marquetry work of the very finest quality, engraved ivory, and extensively adorned with finest quality gilt bronze mounts, of swags, paterae, turtle doves, lover’s bows, garlands, martial trophies and lambrequins.
Of rectangular form, the central breakfront door, enclosing a shelved interior is elaborately inlaid with engraved ivory and specimen woods, having a central situated ivory inlaid female bust holding ribbon-tied plaits issuing and supporting a bronze framed elliptical plaque painted in sepia tones, of a putti waking Cupid, flanked by portrait heads of two great English poets, John Milton and John Keats: the whole design supported by addorsed griffins; the frieze with gilt-bronze cornucopia and foliage, having canted corners, the panelled sides set with elaborate musical and artistic trophies, the whole veneered with burr-yew within sycamore, boxwood and walnut crossbandings: the back stamped M H below a crown and an old distressed label, the top of the door stamped Holland & Sons, the inside with a plaque reading ‘Holland & Sons, 23 Mount St. London’.
Circa 1865.
Dimensions: H: 53 in / 134 cm | W: 42 in / 107 cm | D: 20.5 in / 52 cm
A Magnificent Library Centre Table of Exhibition Quality of the George IVth Period, in the Manner of Morel & Seddon
Constructed in amboyna, with holly and specimen woods used in the inlays; rich and extensive employment of carving and gilding of exceptional quality; the table of end support form, conjoined by an addorsed tapering ring turned stretcher, carved with lobes; the end supports of triangulated form, rising from platforms supported by winged claw feet, carved with gilded foliates and acanthus leaves, with a stylised thyrsus staff issuing leaves and tendrils, inlaid in Holly; the sides sumptuously carved with gilded foliates; the serpentine top having pendant teardrop gilded finials at the angles; the thumbnail moulded edge gilded, having a running band of holly inlaid flowering anthemion in the outer reserve, and an exuberantly inlaid marquetry posy of spring flowers, in exotic woods to the centre. Circa 1830 Dimensions: H: 28.5 in / 72 cm W: 56.5 in / 143 cm D: 27 in / 68 cm
A Magnificent Library Centre Table of Exhibition Quality of the George IVth Period, in the Manner of Morel & Seddon
Constructed using amboyna, purpleheart and bird’s eye maple, having very fine gilt bronze mounts, and inlaid with cross banding in the Boulle marquetry manner; rising from castor shod oblate feet, supporting scrolled sled form platform bases; the end supports waisted, with gilt lobed collars, and the ormolu framed stiff leaf cast top having a rectangular reserved of tortoishell and mother-of-pearl Boulle work. Circa 1825 Dimensions: H: 30 in / 76 cm W: 40.5 in / 103 cm D: 25 in / 63 cm