LATE 18TH CENTURY

A closely related oval pembroke table at Corsham Court with 'lozenge' pattern top has been attributed by Lucy Wood to the cabinet-maker Henry Hill (L. Wood, Catalogue of Commodes, London, 1994, p. 68, fig. 49). Hill was active as a cabinet-maker, coach-maker and auctioneer among other things in Marlborough from around 1740 until his death in 1778. Between 1760 and 1778, he supplied over £1,300 in furniture for Lord Methuen at Corsham Court, Wiltshire. Another marquetry table of similar design was at Burderop House, Wiltshire (L. Wood, 'Furniture for Lord Delaval: Metropolitan and Provincial', Furniture History, 1990, p. 205, figs. 17 & 18.). There is much to suggest that these tables are by Hill of Marlborough, in that they are found within the geographical confines of Hill's clientele in and around Marlborough. The present table is unique in that it incorporates a central oval to the design of the top.