Lot 286
A George II mahogany serpentine architects chest of drawers
Auction: 30 June 2001 at 12:00 BST
Description
the shaped top with astragal edge hinged at the front with document rest, and incorporating a satinwood banded rising dressing mirror, and a zogroscope, above five long graduated drawers, the top drawer fitted with drawer and compartments flanked by blind fretwork panels, raised above a moulded plinth on shaped ogee bracket feet
103cm wide, 87cm high, 60cm deep (adapted)
Footnote
This commode was formerly owned by the architect William Hay (1818-1888) of Hay and Henderson, Edinburgh.
Hay was a pupil of John Henderson in Edinburgh and worked as clerk of works on the construction of the Episcopal Cathedral at St John's, Newfoundland, for Sir George Gilbert Scott between 1847-50. In 1853 he settled in Toronto, returning to Scotland in 1863 after the death of his first wife. In 1870 he married Jemima Huddleston of the Isle of Wight, and the desk is offered for sale by their grandaughter.
Hay is best know for the restoration of St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh, between 1872-83, much of which he did with George Henderson who became his partner in 1878. He apparently had a 'kindly and genial disposition' and was a prominent Freemason and Master of the Lodge of St Andrew #48. There were obituaries in the Scotsman, Builder and British Architect.