Royal Yacht HMS Medina Queen Mary's personal secrétaire cabinet by Waring and Gillows. 1911-12 India State visit. Later the P&O Line steamer RMS 'Medina'.
A slender secrétaire cabinet finished in lacquer on mahogany with inlaid boxwood stringing. Internal shelves are lined with green silk (now distressed) and edged in moroccan green gold stamped leather to each shelf. Both handles are high quality bespoke and hand chased silvered bronze. The underside of the draw sports a ballbearing catch to stop the draw falling open whilst at sea. A glazed cabinet at the base has silvered wire mesh over glass. The whole piece brakes down into multiple elements for easy of transport and shipping.
A small bespoke beautiful piece of furniture totally suitable for todays lifestyle, its small petite size would make it fit in any home. Three selves for small books, with a unfolding writing desk Queen Mary herself would have used to pen letter back home to her family. Set of beautiful silvered hinges and original inset moroccan gold tooled leather writing surface.
A fine quality product from the famous firm of Waring & Gillows, employed to fit out the King & Queen's royal apartments onboard the brand new P&O steamer, RMS 'Medina' in 1911, requisitioned for their upcoming state visit to India. The ship would be refitted in 1912 after returning form the tour to commercial passenger service. It was then the Royal Apartments created were removed and sold by Waring & Gillow.
Within the interior of the draw is a beautiful original period gilt brass makers plaque bearing the inscription:-
"H.M.S. MEDINA, Used on the state visit of TM the King and Queen to India 1911-12, Warings, London"
An outstanding piece of furniture of the highest quality with the most amazing provenance and history, one of the finest pieces of nautical furniture we have ever offered for sale, or even seen on the open market, an amazing a rare opportunity to own and use an outstanding piece of history.
A slender secrétaire cabinet, 6' 2" high by 16"