Lot Essay
The Cobham table is a refined version of the 'Louis XIV' style pier-table at Boughton House, Northamptonshire, bearing the cypher of Ralph, Earl of Montagu, later 1st Duke of Montagu. The Montagu table is attributed to the Huguenot carver and gilder Jean Pelletier, (d. 1705), who helped furnish the palaces of William and Mary in the 1690's. At this time Montagu served as 'Master of the Great Wardrobe' (Courts and Colonies), fig. 59), while Marot, who adopted the title of 'Architect to King William III', acted as chief ornamentalist. This table and its pair (now in the Victoria & Albert Museum) were supplied to the soldier and politician Richard Temple, born 1669, created Baron Cobham in 1714 and Viscount in 1718, died 1749. He was created a Baron on King George's accession in 1714, when he served as the King's envoy to Vienna, and two years later was appointed Constable of Windsor Castle. Lord Cobham's table corresponds with the pattern of a pier-table that was designed for King George I and is incised with the name of James Moore, who, in partnership with John Gumley, was appointed cabinet-maker to the King (see: I. Caldwell, 'John Gumley, James Moore and King George I', Antique Collector, April 1987, p. 68, fig. 4; R. Edwards and P. Macquoid, The Dictionary of English Furniture, rev. ed. vol. III, p. 281, fig. 24.
The apron of the royal table displays King George's ensigned cypher within the garter ribbon, and is flanked by cartouches displaying the Rose and Thistle badge of the United Kingdom, whereas on the Cobham table, the family crest is flanked by the scallop-shell emblem of Venus, goddess of Love.
Christie's house sale for the Marquess of Buckingham at Stowe House lasted an incredible thirty-seven days and on the fourteenth day in the Grenville Drawing Room there was A pair of carved and gilt pier tables (lot 1472), which are probably the Cobham tables; this description is perhaps rather short to be conclusive, but the theory is strengthened by the following lot 1473, which reads A pair of carved ditto, the tops of japan lacquer (ie. removable oriental lacquer tops often found on this style of table); along with the fact that in the same room is lot 1470 A fire skreen, with carved and gilt frame-panelled, with a subject in tapestry, after Teniers, which can be identified with the fire-screen (now in the Victoria & Albert Museum, W...-...) en suite with the Cobham tables.
The top of this table has at some point been fixed down, as has its pair, but it would originally have been removable as was often the practice. Both tables have the same white colour on the underside of the top
The apron of the royal table displays King George's ensigned cypher within the garter ribbon, and is flanked by cartouches displaying the Rose and Thistle badge of the United Kingdom, whereas on the Cobham table, the family crest is flanked by the scallop-shell emblem of Venus, goddess of Love.
Christie's house sale for the Marquess of Buckingham at Stowe House lasted an incredible thirty-seven days and on the fourteenth day in the Grenville Drawing Room there was A pair of carved and gilt pier tables (lot 1472), which are probably the Cobham tables; this description is perhaps rather short to be conclusive, but the theory is strengthened by the following lot 1473, which reads A pair of carved ditto, the tops of japan lacquer (ie. removable oriental lacquer tops often found on this style of table); along with the fact that in the same room is lot 1470 A fire skreen, with carved and gilt frame-panelled, with a subject in tapestry, after Teniers, which can be identified with the fire-screen (now in the Victoria & Albert Museum, W...-...) en suite with the Cobham tables.
The top of this table has at some point been fixed down, as has its pair, but it would originally have been removable as was often the practice. Both tables have the same white colour on the underside of the top