Ince & Mayhew Furniture for sale

A lovely tea chest is on offer in the Christie's auction Chieveley House, Berkshire and Five Private Collections to be held on 19th March.  

It is dated around 1770 and is made of tulipwood and satinwood.   The marquetry on the lid is amazing as it looks like a fluted frieze.  Inside there are two rosewood lidded wells.  The body is
 inlaid with flowers, foliage and urns and has a coat-of-arms, consisting of a chevron between four double-headed eagles.  Its provenance is the Property of the Earl and Countess of Perth; sold Christie’s, London, 18 April 1996, lot 4 and the estimate is £3,000-£5,000. 

There is also an attractive serpentine shaped serving table.  It is made of mahogany and has a fluted frieze with a goat mask at the centre.  I wondered about the significance of the goat, as more often it's a ram's head that is depicted - something about sheep and goats comes to mind.  It is dated around 1775.  The estimate is £8,000 to £12,000.

Both these items are attributed to Ince & Mayhew, and there are also two tables in the manner of the firm.