A GEORGE III HAREWOOD AND FIDDLEBACK-MAHOGANY HARLEQUIN TABLE

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A GEORGE III HAREWOOD AND FIDDLEBACK-MAHOGANY HARLEQUIN TABLE
Chequerbanded overall and inlaid with boxwood lines, the rectangular top crossbanded in tulipwood and divided into two parts each with a central oval panel and simulated fluted edge, enclosing a green baize-lined writing-surface, each flap with a hinged door enclosing a well, the central section with a hinged ratcheted writing-slope and pen-tray with glass inkwell and sander, with a spring-loaded section containing four small cedar-lined sycamore drawers and pigeon-holes, the top with stamped reversed letters '2.1.6/WG', above a frieze drawer on square tapering legs inlaid with simulated fluting and later angle-brackets, brass caps and leather castors, originally with larger angle-brackets
25in. (64cm.) wide; 32in. (81.5cm.) high; 21in. (53.5cm.) deep

拍品專文

The Harlequin writing-table with folding or 'turn-over' tops, relates in form to a 1770 dressing-table pattern illustrated in the Estimate Sketch Books of Gillows of London and Lancaster (illustrated in L. Boynton (ed.), Gillow Furniture Designs 1760-1800, Royston, 1995, fig. 29). However, with its concealed writing-flap with 'horse' support and its spring-operated 'harlequin' nest-of-drawers, it corresponds to a pattern in Thomas Shearer's The Cabinet-Maker's London Book of Prices, London, 1788, (pl. 19, fig. 3). A related dressing-table, whose top was also inlaid with medallions and trompe l'oeil flutes, was illustrated by Phillips of Hitchin (Antiques) in the catalogue of the British Antique Dealer's Fair, 1958.