CIRCA 1920

Details

An Edwardian 'Sandringham Workshop' mahogany and fruitwood inlaid fruit stand
Circa 1920
The shaped tray-top pierced with carrying handles and inlaid with marquetry pears and fan medallions, the underside stamped with a Crown and an interlocking design of a double 'A' for Queen Alexandra, with a later paper property label for Princess Margaret
28½ in. (72 cm.) high; 22 in. (56 cm.) wide; 11 in. (28 cm.) deep

Provenance

Placed in the Library of the Private Apartment of H.R.H. The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon at Kensington Palace.

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

The tray-top work-table, designed in the late 19th century 'Sheraton' revival style, has Ionic-scrolled ends and is inlaid with a shell medallion and Renaissance-fashion tablets of pears. It was made at the Sandringham workshops established by Princess Alexandra, later Queen Alexandra (d.1925), following her marriage in 1863 to Edward, Prince of Wales, later Edward VII (d.1910). Originally established as a 'Technical School of Woodwork' for the children of the Estate workers, it later became Her Majesty Queen Mary's 'Carving School' for ex-servicemen and local workers. The manufactures were retailed at Sandringham and London Department Stores and shown at the Ideal Home Exhibitions. A mahogany version of this table is now displayed in one of the Museum rooms at Sandringham (S. Letts et al, Sandringham, 2002, p.55). A satinwood version of this table, also inlaid with a shell, was sold, Christie's, London, 15 June 2000, lot 18.

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