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Lot Essay
The original design of the early Georgian eagle-supported pier-table is associated with Lord Burlington's protegé, the artist/architect William Kent (d.1748), who was granted the title 'Master Carpenter' of King George I's Board of Works. In 1725, Kent featured Roman eagles in his illustrations for Alexander Pope's translation of Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey, recounting the history of Rome's foundation after the Trojan Wars. Kent used scenes from The Odyssey in his Roman-mosaiced ceiling for George I's apartment or gallery at Kensington Palace.
A pair of tables of the same date and design was sold by Dame Barbara Cartland, D.B.E., D.St., Christie's, London, 8 July 1993, lot 94. These tables were almost certainly supplied in 1891-1894 to William, Viscount Helmsley and 1st Earl of Feversham (d.1915) for the Palladian castle Duncombe Park in Yorkshire. Interestingly, a pair of related 'Kentian' eagle console tables was supplied to Sir Julius Wernher at Luton Hoo, Bedfordshire in circa 1900-1905 at the time of the 'Louis XVI' refurbishment by the Ritz decorators Charles Mewès and Arthur Davis.
ANGELO DONGHIA
These tables once formed part of the collection of the legendary designer, Angelo Donghia (1935-1985). Over the course of his long career, Donghia infused elegance to the interiors of private residences, hotels, corporate headquarters and cruise ships with his luxurious, boldly original, and uncluttered style. He was a major force in the design community, building an empire that includes interior design and product companies, showrooms, and a licensing division.
A pair of tables of the same date and design was sold by Dame Barbara Cartland, D.B.E., D.St., Christie's, London, 8 July 1993, lot 94. These tables were almost certainly supplied in 1891-1894 to William, Viscount Helmsley and 1st Earl of Feversham (d.1915) for the Palladian castle Duncombe Park in Yorkshire. Interestingly, a pair of related 'Kentian' eagle console tables was supplied to Sir Julius Wernher at Luton Hoo, Bedfordshire in circa 1900-1905 at the time of the 'Louis XVI' refurbishment by the Ritz decorators Charles Mewès and Arthur Davis.
ANGELO DONGHIA
These tables once formed part of the collection of the legendary designer, Angelo Donghia (1935-1985). Over the course of his long career, Donghia infused elegance to the interiors of private residences, hotels, corporate headquarters and cruise ships with his luxurious, boldly original, and uncluttered style. He was a major force in the design community, building an empire that includes interior design and product companies, showrooms, and a licensing division.