Cabinet, Dutch, 18th century

Cabinet veneered with satinwood, mahogany and other woods, and inset with lacquered panels

The Henry L. Florence Bequest

Bequeathed by Lt. Col. Henry Louis Florence VD (1843-1916), together with a number of other pieces of furniture (W.55 to W.85a-1917), Asian pieces, ceramics, silver and enamels. See Nominal File MA/1/F792/2. Henry Florence was an architect and members of the RIBA, serving as its Vice-President from 1897 to 1899. He was a Fellow of the Geological Society and a Past Master of the Haberdashers' Company. He served in the Rifle Volunteers from 1871 to 1892 and retired with the rank of Lt. Col. As a young man he had studied in France. He began to practice in 1871, at first in partnership with Lewis Henry Isaacs (1830-1908). Florence designed many public buildings and hotels, mainly in London, and was responsible for the restoration of the Hall at Grays Inn. He was a collector who made monetary bequests to the National Gallery, the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum, in addition to bequeathing many items to the latter museum. He had houses at 9 Princes Gate, South Kensington an at 16 Royal Crescent, Bath, and an office at No. 3 Verulam Buildings, Grays Inn.

This cabinet was in the first-floor Drawing Room at 16 Royal Crescent, Bath, but no earlier history for it is recorded.

W.70-1917