LATE 18TH/EARLY 19TH CENTURY

Details

A CHINESE EXPORT BLACK AND GILT-LACQUER PEMBROKE TABLE
LATE 18TH/EARLY 19TH CENTURY
White oval drop leaf top above a pair of opposing frieze drawers, raised on square tapering legs
29 ½ in. (75 cm.) high, 24 ¼ in. (62 cm.) wide, 25 ¼ in. (65 cm.) deep

Provenance

The Late Hon. Mrs. Nellie Ionides; Christie's, London, 1 November 1963, lot 77.
Property from the Estate of Mrs. Sherburn M. Becker; Christie's, New York, 19-20 January 1996, lot 279.
Anonymous sale; Christie's, New York, 9 April 2003, lot 111.

Special notice

Please note this lot will be moved to Christie’s Fine Art Storage Services (CFASS in Red Hook, Brooklyn) at 5pm on the last day of the sale. Lots may not be collected during the day of their move to Christie’s Fine Art Storage Services. Please consult the Lot Collection Notice for collection information. This sheet is available from the Bidder Registration staff, Purchaser Payments or the Packing Desk and will be sent with your invoice.

Lot Essay

The Hon. Mrs. Ionides was the daughter of Sir Marcus Samuel, 1st Viscount Bearsted. After her first husband, Walter Levy, died in 1923, Nellie married Basil Ionides, the pioneering Art Deco designer of the Savoy Theatre and Claridges Hotel. He was also the author of one of the earliest books on modern interior decoration: Colour & Interior Decoration, 1926. In 1931 they moved into the splendid 18th century Palladian mansion, Buxted Park, Sussex, which they gradually transformed in their unique style. Both husband and wife were keen collectors: he came from a long line of patrons and benefactors, whilst she focused her attention on amassing exceptionally fine paintings, furniture, objets d'art and Chinese porcelain.

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