The 67-year-old dealer, the grandson of Arthur Brett who established the business in the 1920s at the 42 St Giles Street showroom in Norwich, has decided to "rationalise and reorganise" his business as he feels that an antique furniture dealership of his size and calibre is no longer a viable business in a provincial town.
He will continue to trade on a smaller scale from the 42 St Giles Street shop, but will close the firm's furniture restoration workshop.
A highlight of the sale is expected to be this mid-18th century yew-wood escritoire, with harewood cross banding and chequer stringing, attributed to the London cabinet-makers John Mayhew and William Ince.
Sworders have made the attribution based upon a number of factors, including the distinctive use of yew-wood veneers which were commonly used by Mayhew and Ince in straight grained sections. The 3ft 5in (1.05m) high secretaire is estimated at £15,000-20,000.
