10th Aug, 2022 12:00
A Cabinet of Curiosities: including an Important Natural History Collection
AN EXTENSIVE VICTORIAN ROSEWOOD AMATEUR SPECIMEN CABINET
EXTENSIVE VICTORIAN ROSEWOOD AMATEUR SPECIMEN CABINET,
the glazed superstructure with moulded dentil cornice over a rosette frieze, single astragal door enclosing three stepped shelves, these displaying a number of marine specimens comprising a sawfish rostrum (with CITES A10), pufferfish, cowrie (one cameo cut with the Lord's Prayer), conch, mother of pearl and other shells, also a petrified birds nest, the base fitted with long freize drawer containing assorted mineral specimens, over two panelled doors enclosing twenty-two glazed drawers fitted with an array of specimens to include further geological (incl. malachite and lapis lazuli), insect (Endoptera, Lepidoptera, Anisoptera, Orthoptera), marine (starfish, assorted shells), and other items (fern pressings), the cabinet 206cm high, 107cm wide
A condition report is offered as an indication of any issues visible to the naked eye. As none of our staff is a professional conservator or restorer, buyers must satisfy themselves in respect of condition. The condition report does not form part of any contract between McTear's and the buyer, and all lots are offered "as is" in accordance with our Terms of Business available on our website.
Sold for £1,600
Estimated at £500 - £1,000
Condition Report
Additional images available including a selection of drawer contents
Depth 50cm
Associated top is loose, right middle glass pane cracked, upper right corner sections of veneer to front and right side have been lost, this will require attention; interior lining is painted paper, this very dirty, torn and generally distressed; knob of drawer no. 17 damaged, right front panel of base with vertical crack running down, left panel with several smaller vertical cracks; lost section to detail of right door lower section, further chips and abrasions to moulding in places, sun bleaching and spotting to lower front; stains, water marks and further general wear to top of lower section with some small chips to left rear side; overall would benefit from attention and restoration
also vertical chip to veneer lower section right back side, no visible signs of worm, specimens are generally worn condition with some damaged (loose and lost butterfly wings, some have come off pins and moved), in general this appears confined to a number of the butterflies
Drawer no. 1 glass has been lost, will need to be replaced, numerous specimens have become detached from the board with some resulting appendage loss/damage, right front dovetail joint now detached, will require some attention
This cabinet comes from a private individual based in the Nort-East of Scotland
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