.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
The delicate marquetry on these tables relates to the work of pre-eminent London cabinet-makers Mayhew and Ince, and their former apprentice and follower, William Moore of Dublin (d. 1815).
Establishing their workshop in 1759 in Broad Street, Mayhew and Ince produced furniture for the next forty years. Although records exist of their commissions, it is often difficult to firmly attribute their works to them owing to the unpredictable variations in style, construction and quality of workmanship. However, the use of natural colored woods enhanced with engraving is often a signature of their work. The inlay to the top is a refined version of a similar card table which was sold as a part of the Property of the Late Sir Emmanuel Kaye C.B.E., Christie's London, 29 November 2001, lot 58. While a tambour writing desk featuring similar faux-fluted herm-form legs and swag frieze, was sold by The Arthingworth Collection, Sotheby's New York, 12 December 1996, lot 279. Both of these pieces were attributed to Mayhew and Ince.
The use of a fine quality satinwood, crossbanded in kingwood with a rich amaranth edge with husk tipped fan inlaid top, looped swag frieze and herm-form legs, all support a Mayhew authorship. However the restrained radiating fan and looped-swag motif are characteristic of the work of William Moore (d. 1814) who established a business in Dublin in 1782 after working for a considerable period for Mayhew and Ince, and relates to a console table sold in these Rooms, 22 April 1999, lot 75, as well as two pier tables sold anonymously at Christie's London, 11 November 1999, lot 164.
The close affiliation between Moore and his former employers can be appreciated by his advertisement placed in the Dublin Evening Post of May 1782 which states 'William Moore most respectfully acknowledges the encouragement he has received, begs leave to inform those who may want Inlaid work, that by his close attention to business and instructions to his men, he has brought the manufacture to such perfection, to be able to sell for almost one half his original prices; as the greatest demand is for Pier Tables, he has just finished in the newest taste a great variety of patterns, sizes and prices, from three guineas to twenty; Card tabled on a new construction (both ornamented and plain) which appear like small Pier Tables, with every article in the Inlaid Way, executed on shortest notice, and hopes from his long experience with Messrs. Mayhew and Ince, London, his remarkable fine coloured woods, and elegant finished work, to meet the approbation of all who shall please to honour him with their commands' (G. Beard and C. Gilbert eds. Dictionary of English Furniture Makers 1660-1840, 1986, p. 622.)
Establishing their workshop in 1759 in Broad Street, Mayhew and Ince produced furniture for the next forty years. Although records exist of their commissions, it is often difficult to firmly attribute their works to them owing to the unpredictable variations in style, construction and quality of workmanship. However, the use of natural colored woods enhanced with engraving is often a signature of their work. The inlay to the top is a refined version of a similar card table which was sold as a part of the Property of the Late Sir Emmanuel Kaye C.B.E., Christie's London, 29 November 2001, lot 58. While a tambour writing desk featuring similar faux-fluted herm-form legs and swag frieze, was sold by The Arthingworth Collection, Sotheby's New York, 12 December 1996, lot 279. Both of these pieces were attributed to Mayhew and Ince.
The use of a fine quality satinwood, crossbanded in kingwood with a rich amaranth edge with husk tipped fan inlaid top, looped swag frieze and herm-form legs, all support a Mayhew authorship. However the restrained radiating fan and looped-swag motif are characteristic of the work of William Moore (d. 1814) who established a business in Dublin in 1782 after working for a considerable period for Mayhew and Ince, and relates to a console table sold in these Rooms, 22 April 1999, lot 75, as well as two pier tables sold anonymously at Christie's London, 11 November 1999, lot 164.
The close affiliation between Moore and his former employers can be appreciated by his advertisement placed in the Dublin Evening Post of May 1782 which states 'William Moore most respectfully acknowledges the encouragement he has received, begs leave to inform those who may want Inlaid work, that by his close attention to business and instructions to his men, he has brought the manufacture to such perfection, to be able to sell for almost one half his original prices; as the greatest demand is for Pier Tables, he has just finished in the newest taste a great variety of patterns, sizes and prices, from three guineas to twenty; Card tabled on a new construction (both ornamented and plain) which appear like small Pier Tables, with every article in the Inlaid Way, executed on shortest notice, and hopes from his long experience with Messrs. Mayhew and Ince, London, his remarkable fine coloured woods, and elegant finished work, to meet the approbation of all who shall please to honour him with their commands' (G. Beard and C. Gilbert eds. Dictionary of English Furniture Makers 1660-1840, 1986, p. 622.)