A REGENCY AMARANTH-INLAID MAHOGANY WRITING-TABLE

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VA… Read more

Details

A REGENCY AMARANTH-INLAID MAHOGANY WRITING-TABLE
The rectangular black leather-lined top above two frieze oak-lined drawers and two conforming drawers on each of the other sides, on scrolled trestle ends joined by a square stretcher, on downswept legs, brass caps and castors, the handles replaced before 1896, two feet with restored breaks, lacking two ring handles
28½ in. (72.5 cm.) high; 42 in. (107 cm.) wide; 27½ in. (70 cm.) deep

Provenance

Almost certainly supplied to Thomas, 2nd Marquess of Bath (1765-1837) for Longleat, Wiltshire and by descent at Longleat.

Literature

1896 Inventory (2nd Marquess' Heirlooms), f 98 r Front Hall 'A 3 ft 6 in oblong mahogany writing-table inlaid ebony stringing fitted two drawers bronze lion-head and brass ring handles on standard, stretcher rail and castors'.

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

This library table is likely to have been commissioned by Thomas, 2nd Marquess of Bath following his inheritance of Longleat in 1796. The table, which probably accompanied a Grecian sofa, is designed in the antique manner popularised by furniture engravings issued by Thomas Sheraton (d. 1806) around 1800. The frieze is inlaid with Grecian-black ribbons in tablet compartments with Grecian-fretted ends, while the truss-fretted trestles are supported on Grecian-scrolled 'claws'. A related 'Sofa Table' featured in Sheraton's Cabinet Dictionary, 1803 (pl. 76) and his Dictionary also helped popularise the use of handles formed as ring-tamed lions, which evoked the role of Bacchus in civilising the Ancients.

More from FURNITURE, PORCELAIN AND SILVER FROM LONGLEAT

View All