Lot Essay
G.E.Magnus produced articles of decorated slate in the mid-19th century from their Pimlico wirkshop, exhibiting at the Great Exhibition in 1851.
The tables, with their palm-flowered and sarcophagus-scrolled trestles, evolved in part from the celebrated porphyry bathing vase, known as the sarcophagus of Pope Clement XII , popularised by C. H. Tatham, Etchings Representing the Best Examples of Ancient Ornamental Architecture (1799); and in part by a table pattern in T. Hope, Household Furniture and Interior Decoration, (1807, pl. 12). The London firm of Magnus of Pimlico were exhibitors at the 1851 Great Exhibition, and are celebrated in particular for their embellishment of Thurstons billiard table designed by Prince Albert for Osborne House (see J. Meyer, Great Exhibitions, Woodbridge, 2006, p.40; and English Heritage Osborne House Guide 1989, p.6)).
The tables, with their palm-flowered and sarcophagus-scrolled trestles, evolved in part from the celebrated porphyry bathing vase, known as the sarcophagus of Pope Clement XII , popularised by C. H. Tatham, Etchings Representing the Best Examples of Ancient Ornamental Architecture (1799); and in part by a table pattern in T. Hope, Household Furniture and Interior Decoration, (1807, pl. 12). The London firm of Magnus of Pimlico were exhibitors at the 1851 Great Exhibition, and are celebrated in particular for their embellishment of Thurstons billiard table designed by Prince Albert for Osborne House (see J. Meyer, Great Exhibitions, Woodbridge, 2006, p.40; and English Heritage Osborne House Guide 1989, p.6)).