An Important Pair of George III Satinwood and Marquetry Demi-Lune Commodes, in the Manner of Mayhew and Ince
CIRCA 1780
Height: 36" Width: 48" Depth: 24.5"
Inventory Number 8346-111
Price
Price Available Upon Request
Description
Each top with crossbanding and broad mahogany border inlaid with ribbon-tied scrolling vines and centered by a flame figured mahogany demi-lune reserve enclosed by a floral garland border; over four tulipwood crossbanded doors each inlaid with a mahogany oval reserve within a floral garland border; one opening to drawers, the other opening to a drawer fitted with a baize-lined brushing slide over sliding trays; on square tapering feet.
Condition
-
Provenances
Arthur S. Vernay, New York, NY.
The Collection of the Late Mrs. John E. Rovensky, 1957.
J.J. Wolfe (Antiques), Ltd. New York, NY.
Private Collection, New York, NY.
Acquired by the most recent owner in 1973.
Illustrated
F. Lewis Hinckley, Metropolitan Furniture of the Georgian Years, New York, 1988, p. 166, Plate 132.
Additional Information
John Mayhew (1736-1811) and William Ince (died 1804) formed one of the longest partnerships in London furniture making. From 1759-1804 they operated under the name Mayhew and Ince (also referred to as Ince and Mayhew by some), with premises listed at Broad Street, Soho and in Marshall Street, Carnaby Market. In 1763 they published a volume of engraved designs, The Universal System of Household Furniture which was dedicated to the Duke of Marlborough, showing the direct influence of Thomas Chippendale.
Mayhew and Ince were among the first London furniture makers to exploit marquetry decoration when it became fashionable in the 1760’s. The use of fine satinwood, mahogany and tulipwood, together with laurel leaf marquetry are decorative motifs that often appeared in their work. The present pair of commodes relate to a pair of commodes that they provided for Croome Court in 1765. They also had commissions from many of the aristocracy whom during these years were amassing what would become the greatest collections of 18th century furniture. Among them were the Duchess of Northumberland, the Earl of Kerry and the Duchess of Devenshire whose private apartments at Chatsworth were installed by Mayhew and Ince. They are also on record for contributing to the Prince of Wales’ Carlton House. In 1775 , they produced, according to Robert Adam’s extensive designs, the Kimbolton Cabinet for the Duchess of Manchester which is now in the permanent collection of The Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
Mrs. John E. Rovensky (c. 1883-1956) was often spoken of as the last great hostess of New York. She was described in her New York Times obituary as a “social figure who inherited $50,000,000 and owned a block of Fifth Avenue property.” She was first married to Selden Marnwaring, whom she divorced in 1914. Maisie (Mrs. Rovensky) retained their mansion on Fifth Avenue and 52nd where she continued to live after marrying her next husband, Morton Plant, the shipping magnate. By 1915 many of New York’s great socialites were moving uptown to the “country”, meaning the 70’s and 80’s, along Upper Fifth Avenue. Mr. And Mrs. Plant had talked about moving and in 1915 the opportunity arose. It was in that year that Cartier brought the first strand of pearls to be offered for over a million dollars to the United States. Maisie Plant viewed them and decided that she must have them. Unfortunately for her, her husband refused to pay the 1.2 million dollar price. As their mansion belonged to Maisie, from her first marriage, a trade was arranged: the double strand of pearls for the building that to this day houses the Cartier New York flagship store. The Plants hired a Boston architect, Guy Lowell, to design a new home to be located at 1051 Fifth Avenue, on the corner of 86th street. Four years later, Mr. Plant passed away, leaving her the aforementioned $50,000,000 and property. Maiseie’s third husband was Colonel William Hayward who died in 1944, leaving her a fine Newport mansion, Clarendon Court. Her last husband, John E. Rovensky (1880-1970) was a banker and economist who held the position of Vice President at the National Bank of Commerce, Bank of America and City Bank.