Lot Essay
This form of folding-top table, with hinged (gate) leg, serving as breakfast or dining-table, was designed to stand against a window-pier or wall when not in use. The fashion for such tapered columnar legs was introduced around 1720 and its turned pad feet were popularly referred to in the 18th century as 'round toes'. They feature on the 1730s trade card of Thomas Potter (C. Gilbert & T. Murdoch, John Channon and brass-inlaid furniture, London, 1993, fig. 11). It may have formed part of the dining-room furniture commissioned for Shirburn Castle by Thomas Parker, 1st Earl of Macclesfield (1667-1732).
A pair of related tables from Kimbolton Castle, Huntingdon, was sold anonymously, in these Rooms, 19 November 1987, lot 155.
A pair of related tables from Kimbolton Castle, Huntingdon, was sold anonymously, in these Rooms, 19 November 1987, lot 155.
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