Designed in the 'Antique' manner, this acanthus-wrapped lion-footed table, with its central scallop-shell emblematic of Venus and monumental 'Roman' scrolled acanthus, relates in form to George II pier-table frames such as the one sold in these rooms, 24 June 1976, lot 52. Its bold proportions suggest that it was originally intended as the stand for an Italian cabinet, like the celebrated stands made by Domenico Cucci in 1683 for Louis XIV, which were purchased by the 3rd Duke of Northumberland from Edward Holmes Baldock for Alnwick Castle in 1824 (see P. Verlet French Royal Furniture, Paris 1963, p.101 figs. 1a-e). A related stand inspired by the Alnwick prototypes supported a cabinet sold in these Rooms, 2 July 1987, lot 459