E. W. Godwin for Collinson & Lock. Anglo-Japanese Mahogany & Satinwood Cabinet

Edward William Godwin. Made by Collinson & Lock. Stamped 'Collinson & Lock. London 5689' to the door top. A fine quality Anglo-Japanese mahogany glazed cabinet with satinwood line inlay. The upper lattice work gallery with semi-circular sides support a half-stepped shelf, with vertical staggered uprights to the back above and below the shelf.

The lower uprights are perfectly positioned to be directly in line with the glazing bars on the doors keeping an unbroken line. Dentil moulding below the top, with the doors opening to reveal the original plush velvet-lined interior and a fixed central shelf. Raised on tapering legs with brass shaped sabots. A design in one of Godwin’s sketchbooks (V&A: AAD, A.124, E.507–1963) relates closely to the overall form of the present cabinet. Also for a comparable display cabinet see Soros, Pg 202 Pl 323 and Pg 237 Pl 388.1. The dentil-cornice and latticework detail are features frequently found on furniture manufactured by Collinson & Lock, and furniture designed by Godwin. Another cabinet of this form, lacking the mirrored glass, was sold at Sotheby’s (Olympia), 27 February 2003, lot 8, and again at Phillips (New York), 17 December 2013, lot 432; now in a private collection. The semi-circular sides are reminiscent of the Godwin iconic sideboards and the arms on the Godwin William Watt settees See Sorus Pg. 98 and 99.