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Lot Essay
This ormolu-enriched table is designed in the French/antique or Marie Antoinette fashion promoted by a table shown at the London International Exhibition of 1862 by the quintessential firm of Victorian cabinet makers, Holland & Sons. It compares, albeit more modestly, to centre tables by Holland & Son sold Christie's, London, 23 April 2009, lot 174 and Sotheby's, Olympia, 11 February 2003, lot 437.
The inscription 'Waller, Baynards Park, Horsham' referes to Thomas J. Waller (d. 1919) who is listed as a civil engineer at Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street in the Royal Blue Book Fashionable Directory for 1879 (p. 448). T.J. Waller purchased Baynards Park, originally built in the 16th century with significant modification in the 19th, in 1889 from the Thurlow family. Described as a 'very handsome' property 'with an air of antiquity about it' the house was in the Ewhurst parish, though most of the park was in Cranleigh, thereby bordering two counties. It was a fitting environment in which to install fashionable revivalist Victorian furniture as in this present example. The house was destroyed by fire in 1979 and only the Tower and gatehouse remain.
The inscription 'Waller, Baynards Park, Horsham' referes to Thomas J. Waller (d. 1919) who is listed as a civil engineer at Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street in the Royal Blue Book Fashionable Directory for 1879 (p. 448). T.J. Waller purchased Baynards Park, originally built in the 16th century with significant modification in the 19th, in 1889 from the Thurlow family. Described as a 'very handsome' property 'with an air of antiquity about it' the house was in the Ewhurst parish, though most of the park was in Cranleigh, thereby bordering two counties. It was a fitting environment in which to install fashionable revivalist Victorian furniture as in this present example. The house was destroyed by fire in 1979 and only the Tower and gatehouse remain.