Lot Essay
John Mack (d.1829) originally founded the firm of Mack and Gibton with William Gibton circa 1803 in Stafford Street, Dublin. In 1906, the firm were appointed 'Upholsterers & Cabinet Makers to his Majesty, His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant, and his Majesty's Board of works'. The partnership of Mack, Williams and Gibton was officially established in 1812, after the death of Robert Gibton, who was succeeded by his son William, and with the addition of Zachariah Williams. From 1815 onwards, the firm began to stamp or label their furniture and on the death of Mack, they were known as Williams and Gibton until Gibton's death in 1842. Various pattern books exerted an influence on the company from the early 1800s, as can be seen from this table which has massive lion-paw feet, frequently seen in George Smith's A Collection of Household Furniture and Interior Decoration, London, 1808. Their work is reknowned for its quality of execution and individualism, particulary on the carving (A. Alexander, 'A Firm of Dublin Cabinet-Makers Mack, Williams and Gibton', Irish Arts Review, Yearbook 1995, Vol. II, pp. 142-148).