.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
The first table probably altered for Sir James Montgomery 2nd Bt., for Stobo Castle, Peeblesshire; and the second table commissioned by one of his successors for either Stobo or Kinross.
The profile medallions of classical maidens which centre this pair of pier tables, celebrating Roman virtue, are related to those of Roman 'worthies' sometimes found on Irish furniture of the mid-18th century. Notable examples include a mahogany side table at Temple Newsam and its pair (with the medallion facing the other way) sold Christie's London, 1 July 2004, lot 70, now in a private collection (C. Gilbert, Furniture at Temple Newsam and Lotherton Hall, Leeds, 1978, vol. II, pp. 356 and 358, fig. 449; The Knight of Glin & J. Peill, Irish Furniture, Yale, 2007, p. 74. fig. 89).
An inspection of these tables was undertaken by Aasha Tyrrell of Carvers and Gilders Ltd., which established that there is only clear evidence of one scheme that extends across all surfaces of the older table including the alterations, this scheme was part water gilt and part oil gilt, and is likely to date to the first half of the 19th century.
The additional carving to the side rails was found to be more consistent with that that of this table than that of the later table. There is evidence of only one scheme of decoration to the second table, which is also part water gilt and part oil gilt, however there is distinction preparation layers for the water-gilt sections suggesting that this scheme is late 19th century or early 20th century, therefore the alterations to the older table pre-date the construction of the second table by at least fifty years.
The profile medallions of classical maidens which centre this pair of pier tables, celebrating Roman virtue, are related to those of Roman 'worthies' sometimes found on Irish furniture of the mid-18th century. Notable examples include a mahogany side table at Temple Newsam and its pair (with the medallion facing the other way) sold Christie's London, 1 July 2004, lot 70, now in a private collection (C. Gilbert, Furniture at Temple Newsam and Lotherton Hall, Leeds, 1978, vol. II, pp. 356 and 358, fig. 449; The Knight of Glin & J. Peill, Irish Furniture, Yale, 2007, p. 74. fig. 89).
An inspection of these tables was undertaken by Aasha Tyrrell of Carvers and Gilders Ltd., which established that there is only clear evidence of one scheme that extends across all surfaces of the older table including the alterations, this scheme was part water gilt and part oil gilt, and is likely to date to the first half of the 19th century.
The additional carving to the side rails was found to be more consistent with that that of this table than that of the later table. There is evidence of only one scheme of decoration to the second table, which is also part water gilt and part oil gilt, however there is distinction preparation layers for the water-gilt sections suggesting that this scheme is late 19th century or early 20th century, therefore the alterations to the older table pre-date the construction of the second table by at least fifty years.