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Lot Essay
This sideboard-table displays 'marbled'-paterae wreathed in mosaic-chequered ribbons to the corners of the top and frieze. The table's 'picturesque' serpentine ribbon-framed top, ribbon-fretted brackets and half-fan inlay reflect classically-inspired designs of the 1770s while the reed-wrapped cluster-column legs with unusual quatrefoil-incised feet indicate a transition from the 'gothic' patterns promoted in Thomas Chippendale's Director (see 1764 edition, pl.LX for a 'Sidebaord Table' with legs of this design).
The table may have been produced by the Wakefield partnership of Richard Wright and Edward Elwick, which flourished between 1747 and 1771. The use of exotic timber in the medallions that enrich the corners of the top and frieze is characteristic of the firm. Several archival references note the difficulty of obtaining such woods. In 1773, Elwick requested permission to send William Constable at Burton Constable on approval: 'a very Curious Ladys Toylet of mix'd Woods, viz iolet, Citron & Sypress, & it is Extra Workmanship...I shall not have it in my power to maker such an other, as I could not procure such a fine assortment of woods in the Kingdom' (C. Gilbert, 'Wright and Elwick of Wakefield, 1748-1824: A Study of Provincial Patronage', Furniture History, 1976, p.40). An extensive documented commission for the Marquis of Rockingham at Wentworth Woodhouse includes many pieces of rare exotic timbers including 'yellow Fustique', 'Anvina' (undientified), 'Hollin' (presumably holly) and 'Grey Wood'. Some of these pieces were included in Christie's sale, 'Wentworth', 8 July 1998, including two commodes. One of these commodes exhibits the same use of boldly rendered marquetry (lot 65) while the other features the same quatrefoil pattern enrichment (lot 69) found on the feet of this table. The use of the quatrefoil motif also appears on the unusual 'Marchioness of Rockingham's Cabinet' (lot 35). The Wentworth commission as brought to light by the Christie's sale also revealed an adherence to Chippendale's Director designs as supported by the fact that both Wright and Elwick subscribed separately to the first 1754 edition of The Director.
Established in 1747 by Richard Wright and Edward Elwick, this prolific partnership '[had] the honour to serve most of the Nobility & Gentry in the West and North Rideing' (G. Beard and C. Gilbert, eds., Dictionary of English Furniture-Makers 1660-1840, Leeds, 1986, pp.1006-1008). In addition to the Marquis of Rockingham, records indicate that they received patronage from such distinguished clients as Sir Rowland Winn at Nostell Priory, the Duke of Norfolk at Worksop Manor, Viscount Irwin at Temple Newsam House and John Spencer at Cannon Hall.
The table may have been produced by the Wakefield partnership of Richard Wright and Edward Elwick, which flourished between 1747 and 1771. The use of exotic timber in the medallions that enrich the corners of the top and frieze is characteristic of the firm. Several archival references note the difficulty of obtaining such woods. In 1773, Elwick requested permission to send William Constable at Burton Constable on approval: 'a very Curious Ladys Toylet of mix'd Woods, viz iolet, Citron & Sypress, & it is Extra Workmanship...I shall not have it in my power to maker such an other, as I could not procure such a fine assortment of woods in the Kingdom' (C. Gilbert, 'Wright and Elwick of Wakefield, 1748-1824: A Study of Provincial Patronage', Furniture History, 1976, p.40). An extensive documented commission for the Marquis of Rockingham at Wentworth Woodhouse includes many pieces of rare exotic timbers including 'yellow Fustique', 'Anvina' (undientified), 'Hollin' (presumably holly) and 'Grey Wood'. Some of these pieces were included in Christie's sale, 'Wentworth', 8 July 1998, including two commodes. One of these commodes exhibits the same use of boldly rendered marquetry (lot 65) while the other features the same quatrefoil pattern enrichment (lot 69) found on the feet of this table. The use of the quatrefoil motif also appears on the unusual 'Marchioness of Rockingham's Cabinet' (lot 35). The Wentworth commission as brought to light by the Christie's sale also revealed an adherence to Chippendale's Director designs as supported by the fact that both Wright and Elwick subscribed separately to the first 1754 edition of The Director.
Established in 1747 by Richard Wright and Edward Elwick, this prolific partnership '[had] the honour to serve most of the Nobility & Gentry in the West and North Rideing' (G. Beard and C. Gilbert, eds., Dictionary of English Furniture-Makers 1660-1840, Leeds, 1986, pp.1006-1008). In addition to the Marquis of Rockingham, records indicate that they received patronage from such distinguished clients as Sir Rowland Winn at Nostell Priory, the Duke of Norfolk at Worksop Manor, Viscount Irwin at Temple Newsam House and John Spencer at Cannon Hall.