Lot 494
PETER WAALS (1870-1937)
WRITING CABINET, CIRCA 1930
Auction: Design Since 1860 Day Two | Thurs 15th October | Lots 246 to 524
Description
walnut, the interior chequer inlaid in holly and ebony, the sloping fall enclosing a leather writing surface
Dimensions
91.3cm wide, 122cm high, 40cm deep
Footnote
An experienced Dutch cabinet-maker, Waals moved to London in 1901 and, after answering an advertisement in The Times, became foreman for Ernest Gimson and Ernest Barnsley at their newly established Sapperton workshop. Under their guidance, he refined his craftsmanship and developed a discerning eye for timber, selecting fine specimen woods and exotic veneers. Gimson frequently consulted Waals on design and construction, acknowledging his significant contribution. Together, they became pioneering figures of the ‘Cotswold Tradition’. Following Gimson’s death in 1919, Waals established his own workshop in Chalford, continuing traditional methods learned at Sapperton. To protect Gimson’s legacy, he agreed with the family not to reproduce his designs or inlaid patterns, instead concentrating on domestic furniture that showcased his exceptional marquetry. Later, Waals secured important commissions from Leicester University and Eton College, alongside prominent local clients, including the Goddard family of Leicester.