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Lot Essay
The carving of the foliage wrapped legs and confroming corbels, along with the shell-capped paw feet, is almost identical to that found on a writing table, circa 1820-1825, attributed to James and Mathew Morison of Edinburgh and Ayr (sold Blairquhan, Scotland, Christie's house sale, London, 24 May 2007, lot 161). Another library table with very similar foliage wrapped legs and corbels was sold anonymously Sotheby's London, 30 June, 2004, lot 125 (£7,800).
In partnership with his father James, the London-trained James Morison advertised his 'New Cabinet and Chair Manufactory' in the important trading port of Ayr. Although working in Scotland, James boasted he maintained his London 'connections', and when he signed an agreement to Sir David Hunter of Blairquhan in December 1823 to supply furniture for his estate, it was to be 'agreeable in shape, size and pattern to that brought from London'. Morison clearly was aware of and espoused the latest London fashions, and is known to have copied and made reference to furniture by Thomas Dowbiggin, the fashionable 'upholder' of Mount Street, London (d. 1854). Both Dowbiggin and Morison followed the latest London cabinet-maker's guides and directories, such as George Smith's Collection of Designs for Household Furniture, 1808, which featured a design for a Grecian table in the French antique fashion similar to the present table.
In partnership with his father James, the London-trained James Morison advertised his 'New Cabinet and Chair Manufactory' in the important trading port of Ayr. Although working in Scotland, James boasted he maintained his London 'connections', and when he signed an agreement to Sir David Hunter of Blairquhan in December 1823 to supply furniture for his estate, it was to be 'agreeable in shape, size and pattern to that brought from London'. Morison clearly was aware of and espoused the latest London fashions, and is known to have copied and made reference to furniture by Thomas Dowbiggin, the fashionable 'upholder' of Mount Street, London (d. 1854). Both Dowbiggin and Morison followed the latest London cabinet-maker's guides and directories, such as George Smith's Collection of Designs for Household Furniture, 1808, which featured a design for a Grecian table in the French antique fashion similar to the present table.
