Lot Essay
The pedestal's bird-inhabited stem derives from one of Thomas Chippendale's 1754 wall-bracket patterns, with love birds perched in the branches of a rock-bound tree. This pattern was illustrated in his Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director, 1754, pl. CXXXIII. The bracket pattern is here accompanied by a reed-gadrooned border and applied to an acanthus-enriched and voluted claw-tripod such as featured in his 'Bason Stand' patterns engraved in 1761 and issued in the 3rd edition of the Director, 1763, pl. LV.
It seems likely that this was intended as a stand for a casket. It is possible that the symbolism of the birds, of which there were probably originally two, perching in the branches was reflected in some way in the casket itself.
The recent provenance of this table before it was bought by Norman Adams is told in Frank Lumb, An appreciation from his many friends, privately printed, 1993, p. 38, no. 15. Mr Lumb wrote:
'A. was an individual who existed on the fringe of the antique trade in Leeds. Fond of buying and 'doing things up'. On this occasion he rang with the enquiry "Can I pick your brains?" to which I replied "You can but try". A. said "Well, I have this sort of table which is a bit odd. The base and legs are nicely carved - then think of the trunk of a tree above which is a sort of square top. I have two dealers coming and haven't a clue how much to ask them". It hardly sounded a treasure so I mentioned the first figure that came to mind - namely ¨25. After a few more words he rang off.
Two days later he rang again and my brother answered. "About that table" said the voice, "Those dealers didn't show the slightest interest". Reg being completely in the dark had to have it all explained. A. said "Anyway I have it on my kitchen table and I have decided to cut the carved base away from the trunk and make something of it. The only thing I don't want to spoil the teeth of my saw if there happens to be a metal core and, by the way, I have touched the paintwork in places and can see underneath". Ideas must have been dawning in my brother's mind for he said "I have to come to Leeds so don't cut through till I get there". So there it was, this little treasure, now saved and awaiting him. Of course he had to have it - but how much to give? A. said "Your brother suggested I ask ¨25". "Would you be happy with that?" asked Reg, "Happy, I would be delighted, I only paid fifty bob for it" said A. and so the deal was done.
A few months later Norman Adams, having heard that we had this quite special 'something', had tried to find out what it was, to no avail, but extracted a somewhat alcoholic promise that he could have the 'first look' at the next Grosvenor House Fair. When he saw it he said "Well I have to have it, the only thing is how much are you going to charge me?". Then pawkily, "I shouldn't be surprised if you didn't get it for bugger all up there"'.
We are grateful to Anthony Lumb, Esq., for permission to quote the above
It seems likely that this was intended as a stand for a casket. It is possible that the symbolism of the birds, of which there were probably originally two, perching in the branches was reflected in some way in the casket itself.
The recent provenance of this table before it was bought by Norman Adams is told in Frank Lumb, An appreciation from his many friends, privately printed, 1993, p. 38, no. 15. Mr Lumb wrote:
'A. was an individual who existed on the fringe of the antique trade in Leeds. Fond of buying and 'doing things up'. On this occasion he rang with the enquiry "Can I pick your brains?" to which I replied "You can but try". A. said "Well, I have this sort of table which is a bit odd. The base and legs are nicely carved - then think of the trunk of a tree above which is a sort of square top. I have two dealers coming and haven't a clue how much to ask them". It hardly sounded a treasure so I mentioned the first figure that came to mind - namely ¨25. After a few more words he rang off.
Two days later he rang again and my brother answered. "About that table" said the voice, "Those dealers didn't show the slightest interest". Reg being completely in the dark had to have it all explained. A. said "Anyway I have it on my kitchen table and I have decided to cut the carved base away from the trunk and make something of it. The only thing I don't want to spoil the teeth of my saw if there happens to be a metal core and, by the way, I have touched the paintwork in places and can see underneath". Ideas must have been dawning in my brother's mind for he said "I have to come to Leeds so don't cut through till I get there". So there it was, this little treasure, now saved and awaiting him. Of course he had to have it - but how much to give? A. said "Your brother suggested I ask ¨25". "Would you be happy with that?" asked Reg, "Happy, I would be delighted, I only paid fifty bob for it" said A. and so the deal was done.
A few months later Norman Adams, having heard that we had this quite special 'something', had tried to find out what it was, to no avail, but extracted a somewhat alcoholic promise that he could have the 'first look' at the next Grosvenor House Fair. When he saw it he said "Well I have to have it, the only thing is how much are you going to charge me?". Then pawkily, "I shouldn't be surprised if you didn't get it for bugger all up there"'.
We are grateful to Anthony Lumb, Esq., for permission to quote the above