CIRCA 1795-1800, ATTRIBUTED TO GILLOW

These same Grecian reed-capped legs tapering to simple caps and castors feature on a group of Carlton House desks, executed in both satinwood and mahogany, that are associated with Messrs. Gillow of London and Lancaster. The first published design of a desk of 'Carlton House' type was one illustrated in A. Hepplewhite & Co. The Cabinet Maker's London Book of Prices, 2nd ed., 1793, pl. 21. This form of desk became associated with Carlton House, the residence of the Prince Regent, later King George IV, after Rudolph Ackermann had illustrated a writing-table of this design in 1814, claiming that it was called a Carlton House desk 'from having been first made for the august personage whose correct taste has so classically embellished that beautiful palace' (see H. Roberts, 'The First Carlton House Table?', Furniture History Society Journal, XXXI, 1995, pp. 124-128). The recent discovery of a bill among the Prince of Wales's accounts in the Royal Archive revealed that 'a large Elegant Sattin wood Writing Table containing 15 Drawers and 2 Cupboards' was supplied by John Kerr, a recipient of several orders for the Prince of Wales, in 1790.

This identical leg treatment can be seen on desks sold anonymously in these Rooms, 8 July 1960, lot 171; another sold 10 April 2003, lot 92; and a final example with stepped ends sold anonymously at Christie's New York, 17 October 2003, lot 274.