CIRCA 1845, PROBABLY RETAILED BY EDWARD HOLMES BALDOCK

This richly decorated table belongs to a group of tables commonly associated with the leading early 19th century art dealer Edward Holmes Baldock and his contemporary, the furniture designer Richard Bridgens. Doubtless influenced by Bridgens' publication in 1838 of a design for a 'marqueterie centre table' of hybrid Louis XIV/XV/ English Regency form, Baldock supplied a related black-bordered octagonal marquetry centre table to the 5th Duke of Buccleuch in 1840. To fulfill commissions like these, Baldock worked with London furniture makers like Trollope & Sons, George Blake and Bros., Gillow & Co., G J Morant and Williamson & Sons, all of whose stamps have been found on related tables and all of whom must be candidates for having made the present example. An unstamped table with related base and mounts sold Christie's, King Street, 14 March 2013, lot 56, while a Williamson-stamped example sold Sotheby's New York, 21 October 2005, lot 23.