Lot Essay
The 'H. Tibats' hinge, discussed by Peter Thornton in 'A Signed Hinge', Furniture History, Leeds, 1966, (pp. 44-45), has been recorded on a number of card-tables with tops wreathed by flowered-ribbon guilloche. Tibats was clearly an important source of iron fittings and was probably based in London or Birmingham. Among card-tables with serpentined and eagle-clawed legs enriched with Roman acanthus, was one sold from a deceased estate, in these Rooms, 11 April 1991, lot 96, another sold by David Geffers, formerly in the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Warner, Christie's New York, 12 October 1990, lot 170 and a third, bearing the label of M. Harris & Sons, sold anonymously Sotheby's New York, 21 April 1995, lot 348. Patterns for Chinese-railed frets, such as the ribbon guilloche of the frieze, featured in an engraving for card-tables issued in Messrs. Ince and Mayhew's The Universal System of Household Furniture, London, 1762, pl. LII.
The pair of card and tea-tables, lot 24, in this sale, also have hinges stamped by H. Tibats.
The pair of card and tea-tables, lot 24, in this sale, also have hinges stamped by H. Tibats.