ATTRIBUTED TO JOHN COBB, CIRCA 1770

While this elegant serpentine-form table derives from French patterns introduced by emigrant cabinet-maker Pierre Langlois, its use of highly contrasting exotic timbers, exceedingly delicate floral inlay and geometeric ground allows one to confidently attribute this table to one of the most celebrated Royal cabinet-makers, John Cobb (d. c. 1778). A commode attributed to Cobb from Lord Leverhulme's collection, with intricately rendered bouquets adorning the cabinet doors, is illustrated in L. Wood, Catalogue of Commodes, London, 1994, pp. 88-89, figs. ii and v. A very similar side table, with the same undulating outline, use of complimentary veneers, bellflower swag frieze decoration and rose spray to top, attributed to Cobb, was sold anonymously; Sotheby's, London, 30 June 2004, lot 172. Another, identical to the aforementioned example, and possibly the same, for which a photograph survives in the Robert Symonds Collection at The Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum, is illustrated in C. Streeter, 'Marquetry Tables from Cobb's Workshop,' Furniture History, 1974, pl. 30B. Further related tables and a commode, with the same design characteristics, including a pair of tables from collection of the Earls of Mansfield at Scone Palace, are also illustrated in C. Streeter, ibid., pls.28B-30A. Another closely related table was sold anonymously, Sotheby's, London, 7 July 1995, lot 72.