Exhibition Satinwood Sideboard by Wright and Mansfield

This extraordinary sideboard is attributed to the famed Wright and Mansfield and was almost certainly created specifically for the important 19th-century international exhibitions. Satinwood, ebony, marble and doré bronze of superior quality are combined with a classical theme culminating in this neoclassical masterpiece. The 19th century marked an era dominated by significant global exhibitions, prompting artisans from diverse fields to push their creative boundaries in crafting exceptionally beautiful and pioneering works. These masterpieces were showcased before an international audience, frequently graced by nobility and royalty from various corners of the globe. The pinnacle of the firm's craftsmanship and artistry, this exquisite sideboard would certainly have been a showpiece for Wright and Mansfield.

Wright and Mansfield was an important and prominent Victorian firm that produced many of the finest pieces of English furniture ever made. They served as Cabinetmakers to Queen Victoria, and several of their pieces are housed and on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Widely recognized for their superb craftsmanship and innovative designs, they received acclaim for their works exhibited in the 1862 London International Exhibition, the 1867 Paris Exposition Universelle and the 1876 Philadelphia World's Fair, where they exhibited a similar cabinet. In fact, they won the only gold medal awarded for British Furniture at the 1867 Paris Exhibition. The intricate inlay displayed on this side cabinet is the work of an exceptionally accomplished artisan. In terms of workmanship, materials and design, the exhibition sideboard is a work of art.

This sideboard is pictured in two well-known books regarding antiques including The Antiques Buyer by David Dickinson, page 169, and History of Furniture by Michael Huntley, page 182.

Circa 1860

71" wide x 21" deep x 86 1/2" high