ATTRIBUTED TO JOHN COBB

Details

A GEORGE III MAHOGANY, AMARANTH, YEWWOOD AND MARQUETRY WORK-TABLE
Attributed to John Cobb
The eared moulded rectangular top with geometric banding centred by a ribbon-tied flower-bouquet, above the long writing frieze-drawer inlaid with simulated fluting and enclosing a black leather-lined writing-slide concealing a well, above a tambour-shutter with alternating foliate trails enclosing six short drawers, the angles with a scallop-shell above husk-trails, the sides and back with simulated fluting above a panel of geometric banding with ribbon-tied laurel sprays and wreaths, on cabriole legs headed by a lotus-leaf and joined by a concave-fronted moulded undertier and terminating in foliate ormolu sabots, the moulded edges were previously ebonised, restorations
18¾in. (47.5cm.) wide; 30in. (76.5cm.) high; 14¼in. (36cm.) deep

Lot Essay

The Lady's writing/dressing table is richly inlaid and ormolu-mounted in the French manner and displays a posie in a ribboned frame with fretted-tablet corners. A slide-fitted writing-drawer is concealed in the frieze by Venus-shell badges festooned with Roman acanthus-husks, while poetic trophies of ribbon-tied palms flank a central tambour with laurel-enriched ribbons. Its form and ornament corresponds to that of a bonheur-du-jour that is thought to have been supplied about 1770 for Lady Fetherstonhaugh's appartment at her London home in Whitehall. It has been attributed to King George III's cabinet-maker, John Cobb of St. Martin's Lane, who was famed for his 'inlaid' furniture and is known to have been patronised by Sir Matthew and Lady Fetherstonhaugh (Patronage Preserved, Christie's Exhibition, 1991, p. 50, no. 22). The acanthus mounts correspond to a pattern featured on a design for an inlaid commode sent to Hopetoun House, West Lothian in 1768.

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