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Lot Essay
The strong neoclassic design of this table, which owes much to French examples of the same date, was introduced to England by Henry Holland, favored designer to the Prince of Wales, later George IV. Examples of a remarkably similar form and decoration were executed by the Gillows firm in circa 1795, as demonstrated by a hand-colored design for a pier table illustrated in L. Boynton, ed., Gillow Furniture Designs: 1760-1800, Royston, 1995, color pl.4.
The trompe l'oeil specimen marble plaques that embellish the table top are similar to those painted on a secretaire-bookcase also attributed to Gillows that sold from the great antiquarian collection at Mere Hall, Knutsford, Cheshire, Christie's house sale, 23 May 1994, lot 27. This marbelised decoration imitates Italian specimen marble-inset table tops brought back to England and popularized by the milordi following their Grand Tour.
The trompe l'oeil specimen marble plaques that embellish the table top are similar to those painted on a secretaire-bookcase also attributed to Gillows that sold from the great antiquarian collection at Mere Hall, Knutsford, Cheshire, Christie's house sale, 23 May 1994, lot 27. This marbelised decoration imitates Italian specimen marble-inset table tops brought back to England and popularized by the milordi following their Grand Tour.