Secrétaire chest
probably Henry Pilkington (Derby fl.1790-1805)
Category
Furniture
Date
circa 1800
Materials
Mahogany, cedar, deal, brass
Measurements
99.7 x 109 x 53.5 cm
Place of origin
Derby
Order this imageCollection
Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire
NT 110005
Summary
A mahogany and holly strung secretaire chest of drawers, probably supplied by Henry Pilkington, cabinet maker (Derby fl. 1790-1805) circa 1800. Of four long drawers flanked by crossbanded pillasters, the top drawer fitted with small drawers and pigeonholes, with lion's-mask and ring handles.
Full description
In October 1790 Pilkington advertised that he had taken over the business of Mottershaw & Son. He had been employed previous to this for several years in the business of Seddon, Sons & Shackleton in London. In February 1791 he took out insurance cover of £1,400 of which £650 was for stock and utensils mainly in his house but also some in a yard and shed. In 1793 he subscribed to Thomas Sheraton's Drawing Book. In 1805–06 the firm of Pilkington & Co. were trading as upholders and cabinet makers from an address in Iron Gate, Derby, and Henry Pilkington was probably the principal of this business. [D; Derby Mercury, 21 October 1790; GL, Sun MS vol. 374, ref. 579543]. Patterns for related "Dressing Chests" were published in Sheraton's Cabinet-Makers and Upholsterer's Drawing-Book. Supplied to the 2nd Baron Scarsdale. Probably supplied by Pilkington in June 1805 for £9.10.0d.
Provenance
Probably supplied by Henry Pilkington of Derby in 1805From the Curzon family before purchase by the National Trust from the Hon. James Curzon in March 2008.
Makers and roles
probably Henry Pilkington (Derby fl.1790-1805), cabinetmaker
References
Dictionary of British and Irish furniture makers online (1660-1840) FHS 2017 Sheraton, Thomas,. Sheraton furniture designs 1946.