Lot Essay
This form of tripod reading-table follows a popular mid-18th century design. Thomas Potter's trade advertisement of c. 1740 illustrates an example with adjustable reading-slope. Another related model is illustrated in the Golden Square cabinet-makers John Mayhew and William Ince's Universal System of Household Furniture, 1759-63, pl. XXVI. One with a richly-carved base and pierced scrolled supports was supplied by William France to Kenwood in 1770 (R. Edwards & M. Jourdain, Georgian Cabinet Makers, 3rd ed., 1955, p. 215, pl. 181).