Sale JUN10A Lot 1205

Queen Anne/George I walnut double dome bureau cabinet, presented by Sir Henry Irving to Surgeon Lawson Tait in 1892, the walnut cabinet with herringbone crossbanding, the top with panelled doors enclosing shelves over two drawers and a small central cupboard enclosing six further drawers, and secret drawers flanked by pigeon holes over four more drawers, the bureau base with a fall flap opening to reveal a well, pigeon holes secret drawers and drawers, over four short and two long drawers on bracket feet. The fall flap has a shaped brass cartouche with the inscription 'From Henry Irving Lyceum Theatre London to Lawson Tait Birmingham Jany 9-92'.

PROVENANCE: This bureau was presented by Henry Irving after he had asked Lawson Tait to visit Irving's son Lawrence in Dublin after Lawrence had apparantly shot himself. Tait was able to reassure Irving of his son's recovery.
See page 143 'Lawson Tait The Rebellious Surgeon (1845-1899)", by John A. Shepherd where the incident is described as follows;
"In 1892 Lawrence, Sir Henry's second son, while in Dublin attempted suicide by shooting himself through the chest. Tait was summoned at once from Birmingham. He found that Lawrence had survived his injury, complimented the Irish doctors on their treatment and was able to reassure Sir Henry of his son's recovery." (A copy of the book is included in the sale.)

The bureau cabinet was a gift given in gratitude by Irving to Tait for his service and has remained in the family ever since passing by descent to the present vendor. h:83.50 w:43 d:24 in.
Estimate £ 3,000-5,000

Top - small piece of cornice missing from back approx.3in., veneer lifting in places, doors warped, inside door cracked, interior cupboard cracked.
Base - slide warped, piece of veneer missing from the left hand side of the slide, approx.2in., interior replaced baize very poor, various pieces of veneer missing from base and lifting in places, possible replaced bracket base.

Sold for £4200