Lot Essay
This pattern of Gothic-chamfered leg, but terminating in Doric-guttaed feet, featured on a George II 'mahogany nettwood Breakfast Table with a draw' supplied in 1756 for Dumfries House, Scotland by Samuel Smith (d. circa 1770) (see C. Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, London, 1978, vol. II, p. 220, fig. 401). The latter was attributed to Thomas Chippendale (d. 1779) in P. Macqoid and R. Edwards, The Dictionary of English Furniture, London, rev.ed., 1954, vol. III, p. 266, fig. 1). However, Ralph Edwards illustrated his own Pembroke table, with chamfered and guttaed legs in his Shorter Dictionary of English Furniture, London, 1977 (p. 570, fig. 1) and related it to Chippendale's 'Breakfast Table' pattern in The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director, 1754-1762. The chamfered and guttaed leg also featured on a related pembroke table sold anonymously, in these Rooms, 6 April 2000, lot 265.