A rare and important painted wardrobe with original decorated panels, copper and steel fittings. Circa 1893

It is our opinion that this wardrobe would have been designed for one of Baillie Scotts earliest commissions, possibly Oakleigh which had been commissioned by Baillie Scott’s builder, W. Macadam, or for his own house Red House built in 1893.

The original “Rose” design painted panels display Baillie Scotts distinctive and typical designs for painted decoration found on works for furniture by J.P. White, ( see No 64 Pygytle Works Catalogue “Rose“ Bedstead) also used on a painted sideboard in “Houses and Gardens” also wall and ceiling decoration for a house in Mannheim Germany and The Music-Room A House for an Art Lover) The overall shape and form of the piece is in essence drawing from a earlier medieval style with the pitched roof design and no plinth base (see No 75 J.P. White catalogue for similar design ) also similar to earlier Phillip Webb designs for furniture . The letter “M” appears in the centre of the rose decorated panels and also stamped into the steel drops on the handles, it is our opinion this is either M for Mackay or for Macadam. W. Macadam commissioned Oakleigh on the Isle of Mann in 1893. The metal work is bold and confident and carries the distinctive heart design found on many Baillie Scott architectural features. This piece was discovered on the isle of Mann along with another piece of furniture by Baillie Scott an oak sideboard.

Works: The work undertaken has been done with a view to keep the piece as original as possible whilst containing and preserving the original paint. We found that the piece had been overpainted with 2 coats of white gloss paint although fortunately not the decorative panels. The metal work had been removed and replaced with backerlite handles but the originals kept in the drawer two of the steel drops had been lost these have been re made and fixed. The overall paint was cleaned and various large scratches filled and then the overall has been repainted and blended to match the existing colour a water base paint was hand mixed and applied over all surfaces the interior of the wardrobe has been left as the original oil based undercoat as has the back.

Works: The work undertaken has been done with a view to keep the piece as original as possible whilst containing and preserving the original paint. We found that the piece had been overpainted with 2 coats of white gloss paint although fortunately not the decorative panels. The metal work had been removed and replaced with backerlite handles but the originals kept in the drawer two of the steel drops had been lost these have been re made and fixed. The overall paint was cleaned and various large scratches filled and then the overall has been repainted and blended to match the existing colour a water base paint was hand mixed and applied over all surfaces the interior of the wardrobe has been left as the original oil based undercoat as has the back.