Full details of each lot are displayed, except the lot number, estimate and price. You must be a subscriber to view lot numbers, estimates and prices.
A highly important cradle of grand proportions, attributed to…
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Melbourne
Date:
3-Jun-2014
Lot No.
***
Description:
A highly important cradle of grand proportions, attributed to Johan Martin Levien, the famous mid-19th century New Zealand and London cabinet-maker; and believed to have been commissioned by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert c1846, probably for the birth of their fifth child, Helena, in 1846. Made in the Cinquecento style from woods traditionally used in England, combined with a number recently discovered in New Zealand. Adorned with extensive veneering and cross-banding of the highest quality. The bowl and supports of the cradle are of walnut; the carvings of maple. The feet, legs and stretcher are veneered in Totara Knot, the renowned New Zealand decorative timber. The inner headboard and the outer end of the cradle are veneered in Totara, Puriri, Maire and White Pine, and line-strung in ivory. The outer headboard and the inner end of the cradle are veneered in Rosewood.1, The frieze on the outer edge of the cradle is also of Rosewood veneer, decorated with an ivory renaissance arabesque. The frieze also incorporates two ivory portrait medallions, each engraved with the head of a young child. The inner face of the headboard features an earlier and larger, line engraved, ivory plaque of five cherubs. It is confidently attributed to the outstanding Italian engraver, Francesco Bartolozzi Ra (1727--1815); and appears heavily influenced by paintings of his two great friends and colleagues in the Royal Academy: Angelica Kauffmann's 'Four Children with a Basket of Fruit', and Joshua Reynolds's 'Angels Heads'.
Estimate:
***
Price:
***
Category:
Unclassified