CIRCA 1755

Designed in the George II 'Gothick' taste popularised by Thomas Chippendale in his Gentleman and Cabinet-Makers Director of 1754 and described as a 'Sideboard Table', this type of table served as the sideboard for the display of both plate and delicacies in the 'principal room of entertainment'. Although the direct pattern from which this table was undoubtedly inspired remains untraced, several of the elements can be seen in the 1754 Director, including the distinctive 'Gothick' interlaced-fret frieze, which features on both the Library Table in pl. LXXVIII and the Writing Table in pl.LXXVI, which also displays columnar-angle with ringed waists and acanthus capitals. However, the pattern for the 'Gothick' fret frieze enjoyed lasting popularity, as it featured as late as 1765 in Robert Manwaring's The Carpenter's Complete Guide to the Whole System of Gothic Railing, 1765, pls. 11 and 13.