Extraordinary English Oak Sideboard W/ Prime Ministers & Scenes Of Lord Byron'S 'Lara'

Lot description

Exemplary English carved oak sideboard, late 19th/ early 20th c., having molded palmette cornice with egg-and-dart trim, above frieze with finely carved fruit motifs in relief, paneled back with three interior figural scenes from the Gothic narrative poem "Lara" by Lord Byron (George Noel Gordon Byron, 6th Baron Byron, 1788-1824), each panel accompanied by respective carved inscription of corresponding poetic text from Canto I, including Stanza XI (11), Stanza XXVII (27), Stanza XXVIII (28), lower case fitted with three drawers, central drawer with "Green Man" pull, above four cabinet doors, the central pair of glazed doors with tracery overlay, parcel-gilt monogram MEM and date 1908 from previous owner possibly later-added, doors enclosing open storage, outer cabinets with allegorical maidens and interior fixed-height shelving, doors spaced by figural busts of British prime ministers, rising on flattened bun feet, interior retaining label marked "Tiplady & Hall Makers, Newgate St., Bishop Auckland," approx 85"h, 94"w, 26"d Note: the carved scenes depicted at the back paneling is after the original engravings by Charles Bell Birch (British, 1832-1893), published by The Art Union of London, 1879, the first illustrated edition of Lord Byron's text