Strauss & co - 5 March 2018, Cape Town

128 348 A Danish mahogany and inlaid sofa table, 19th century the rectangular twin-flap top above a fitted frieze drawer, on tapering supports joined by a ring-turned stretcher, the front and reverse raised on ebonised and gilt-carved winged caryatids with paw feet raised on plinth bases, some loss to the caryatids, drawer with inventory label for Bernstorff Slot Løbe-Nr. 90, 73,5cm high, 145cmwide open, 76cm deep R –  349 A Venetian carved walnut grotto ‘Fantasy’ chair, circa 1880 the whole carved in the form of an exotic bird, a spray of flowers in its beak, its neck carved with flowers and leaves and its wings acting as the back support, the back with S-shaped toprail, detachable upholstered seat, on claw feet, circular socle shaped base carved with foliage and buds, some wear to wing tips, 74cm high R –  LITERATURE Fantasy Furniture by Bruce M Newmann, Rizzoli 1989, page 30, where a similar example is discussed. 350 A mahogany easel-back travelling desk, late 19th century the open easel frame headed by arched cresting set with a timepiece headed by a turned finial, the fall-front enclosing a papered backboard painted with figures at a lakeside, fitted with letter, ink and pens compartments, flanked by three drawers, with gilt-tooled green leather writing surface, the fall-front with an oriental leather insert and articulated brass columns, with carved legs, 182cm high, 77cmwide, 119cm deep fully open R –  348 349 350