Details
A GEORGE II BURR AND FIGURED WALNUT KNEEHOLE DRESSING-TABLE cross and featherbanded overall, the bowfronted breakfront-centred top with a hinged central panel enclosing a fitted interior with hinged rising toilet mirror with later plate flanked by lidded removable wells and fitted compartments, the frieze with central panel flanked by two simulated drawers, above an arched kneehole with cupboard enclosing a shelf, flanked to each side by four drawers, flanked and divided by tapering fluted pilasters headed by beaded volute scrolls and acanthus carving, on plinth base, minor restorations and the side cornice probably replaced, lacking some minor interior fittings, three top patched, a brass plaque on one side engraved This belonged/to/George Gordon/6th Lord Byron
41¼in. (105cm.) wide; 30½in. (77.5cm.) high, closed; 23¼in. (59cm.) deep
41¼in. (105cm.) wide; 30½in. (77.5cm.) high, closed; 23¼in. (59cm.) deep
Provenance
Possibly commissioned by William Byron, 5th Lord Byron (1722-1798), Newstead Abbey, Nottingham
By descent at Newstead to George Gordon, 6th Lord Byron (1788-1824), the poet and hero of the Greek war of independence
Sold with Newstead in 1817 to Colonel Thomas Wildman (d.1861)
Sold on his death with Newstead to Mr W. F. Webb
Probably sold once again with the house before being sold by Lieutenant-General Sir Herbert Chernside, G.C.M.G.,C.B., Newstead Abbey, Nottingham; Knight, Frank & Rutley house sale, 10-13 January 1921, lot 883 (illustrated)
Percival D. Griffiths, Esq., F.S.A (R. W. Symonds believed that Percival Griffiths acquired by the desk circa 1919 so presumably it was bought more or less immediately from Newstead)
Acquired by Geoffrey Blackwell, Esq., O.B.E., (d.1942) in 1935
Thence by descent to the present owner
By descent at Newstead to George Gordon, 6th Lord Byron (1788-1824), the poet and hero of the Greek war of independence
Sold with Newstead in 1817 to Colonel Thomas Wildman (d.1861)
Sold on his death with Newstead to Mr W. F. Webb
Probably sold once again with the house before being sold by Lieutenant-General Sir Herbert Chernside, G.C.M.G.,C.B., Newstead Abbey, Nottingham; Knight, Frank & Rutley house sale, 10-13 January 1921, lot 883 (illustrated)
Percival D. Griffiths, Esq., F.S.A (R. W. Symonds believed that Percival Griffiths acquired by the desk circa 1919 so presumably it was bought more or less immediately from Newstead)
Acquired by Geoffrey Blackwell, Esq., O.B.E., (d.1942) in 1935
Thence by descent to the present owner
Literature
R. W. Symonds, The Present State of Old English Furniture, London, 1921, p.53 and fig.47
R. W. Symonds, English Furniture from Charles II to George II, London, 1929, p.93, fig.59
R. W. Symonds, 'Furniture in the Collection of Geoffrey Blackwell', Apollo, vol. xxiii, 1936, pt.1, p.196, fig.vi
P. Macquoid and R. Edwards, The Dictionary of English Furniture, London, rev.ed., 1954, vol.III, p.226, fig.8
R. Edwards, The Shorter Dictionary of English Furniture, London, 1964, p. 543, fig. 6
R. W. Symonds, English Furniture from Charles II to George II, London, 1929, p.93, fig.59
R. W. Symonds, 'Furniture in the Collection of Geoffrey Blackwell', Apollo, vol. xxiii, 1936, pt.1, p.196, fig.vi
P. Macquoid and R. Edwards, The Dictionary of English Furniture, London, rev.ed., 1954, vol.III, p.226, fig.8
R. Edwards, The Shorter Dictionary of English Furniture, London, 1964, p. 543, fig. 6