Lot Essay
An almost identical set of rosewood quartetto tables, with inlaid chessboard, semi-circular hinged counter-wells and reading-stand which folds inside the top, labelled to the underside 'J. Nutter Upholsterer Bradford', is illustrated in Regional Furniture, Vol VII, Leeds, 1993. The Dictionary of English Furniture Makers 1660-1840 records Joseph Nutter at 37 Darley Street, Bradford in 1830 and in 3 North Parade between 1828-40. He retired in 1850 and his apprentice Christopher Pratt took over his firm in partnership with Thomas Prince. The firm, re-named 'Pratt', became a very successful family business, lasting into the 20th Century and was the subject of an exhibition at Temple Newsam House, Leeds, Victorian and Edwardian Furniture by Pratts of Bradford, 1970.