.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
Designed in the Grecian taste, this lamp table reflects the 'pure and simple elegance' of Bullock's St. Helena furnishings for Napoleon, which were crafted in 'exquisitely veined British oak, polished in the highest degree'. Bullock championed the use of patriotic, indigenous woods, leading Rudolph Ackermann to refer to the 'tasteful simplicity' of Bullock's furniture in The Repository of Arts. Although not obviously characteristic of Bullock's style, the Grecian reeded and lotus-leaf wrapped stem and concave-fronted plinth are all seen in designs for both torcheres and lamp tables in the Wilkinson Tracings, and he is thought to have supplied simpler examples to John, 6th Duke of Bedford for Endsleigh, Devon (sold Christie's House sale, 20-21 September 2004, lots 821-827).
This table was commissioned for the newly-designed Library at Wrotham circa 1811-12. Designed in the newest Grecian style - as can be seen in Jane Paris' watercolour of circa 1845 (see lot 99) - this table was accompanied by a writing-table - visible in the complete Paris watercolour of the Library and still in the collection - which is also executed in oak and pollard oak and shares an almost identical ormolu border as the Bullock pietra dura centre table (lot 50). It seems highly likely, therefore, that George Byng engaged Bullock at both St. James's Square and Wrotham at the time of the improvements of 1811-12 - when Bullock was at the height of his powers.
This table was commissioned for the newly-designed Library at Wrotham circa 1811-12. Designed in the newest Grecian style - as can be seen in Jane Paris' watercolour of circa 1845 (see lot 99) - this table was accompanied by a writing-table - visible in the complete Paris watercolour of the Library and still in the collection - which is also executed in oak and pollard oak and shares an almost identical ormolu border as the Bullock pietra dura centre table (lot 50). It seems highly likely, therefore, that George Byng engaged Bullock at both St. James's Square and Wrotham at the time of the improvements of 1811-12 - when Bullock was at the height of his powers.