MID-18TH CENTURY

Details

A GEORGE II MAHOGANY TRIPOD READING-TABLE
MID-18TH CENTURY
The rounded rectangular rising top with crossbanded hinged ratcheted slope with moulded book rest at one edge, with swing-out rectangular ink-drawer and two brass candle-stands, on a turned shaft and cabriole legs with pad feet
29½ in. (75 cm.) high; 27 in. (68.5 cm.) wide; 18¾ in. (47.5 cm.) deep

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium, which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

John Mayhew's patterns for related 'Reading and Music Desks' featured in The Universal System of Household Furniture, 1762. A number of related desks were supplied for Nostell Priory, Yorkshire by the St. Martin's Lane cabinet-maker Thomas Chippendale (d. 1779). One was invoiced at £2.10.0. in March 1767 as 'A neat mahogany music desk on a pillar and Claw to rise at pleasure'. Several others were supplied in the following months and years. One of the Nostell desks with similar Doric moulded pillar, is fitted with brass rather than wooden candlebearers (J. Hardy, 'Sir Rowland Winn's Music Desk', Furniture History, 1997, pp. 134-135, fig. 1). A closely related tripod reading or music-table was sold anonymously, Christie's, London, 29 November 2001, lot 8.

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