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Lot Essay
A related card-table is illustrated in R. Edwards & P. Macquoid, The Dictionary of English Furniture, London, rev. ed., 1954, vol. III, p. 196, fig. 13. It was sold by another Symondsian collector, Fred Skull, in these Rooms, 23 April 1952, lot 269. Another, similar table was in Lord Donaldson's (d. 1925) collection formed at Hove, Sussex and is illustrated in R. Edwards and P. Macquoid, The Dictionary of English Furniture, London, rev. ed., 1954, vol. III, p. 197, fig. 14.
Another table, which belonged to Percival Griffiths (d. 1937) at Sandridgebury, Hertfordshire, but lacking the legs' reeded trusses, has the label of the St. Paul's Church Yard cabinet-maker, Benjamin Crook, who traded at The George and White Lion from 1732 to 1748 (C. Gilbert, Pictorial Dictionary of Marked London Furniture, Leeds, 1996, p. 169, fig. 265). It was first sold by the Executors of Percival D. Griffiths Esq., Christie's, London, 10 May 1939, lot 202 and subsequently sold anonymously, Christie's, London, 15 April 1999, lot 107. It is further illustrated in: P. Macquoid and R. Edwards, The Dictionary of English Furniture, London, 1924-7, rev.ed., 1954, p. 155 (under Crook); R.W. Symonds, English Furniture from Charles II to George II, London, 1929, pp. 47, 182, 264-7, figs. 25, 139 and 217; Sir A. Heal, The London Furniture Makers, London, 1953, p. 239, fig. 21; R. Edwards and M. Jourdain, Georgian Cabinet-Makers, London, rev. ed., 1955, p. 95. A further, closely related walnut concertina-action card-table was sold anonymously, in these Rooms, 1 July 2004, lot 29 (£47,800).
PHILLIPS OF HITCHIN
This renowned firm of Antique dealers was founded by Frederick William Phillips in 1884. Following his death in 1910, the business was run by his son, Amyas Phillips (d. 1962) who helped in the formation of the Aykroyd Collection. Jerome Phillips joined in 1961 and continues the business. They were one of a coterie of dealers that specialised in superb quality 18th century mahogany and the furniture historian and advisor, R. W. Symonds regularly visited to inspect pieces on behalf of clients. Phillips of Hitchin were instrumental in the formation of many of the best collections of the second half of the 20th century including The Samuel Messer Collection (sold at Christie's, London, 5 December 1991), The Moller Collection (sold at Sotheby's, London, 18 November 1993) and in particular the collection of H. J. Joel at Childwick Bury, St. Albans (sold at Christie's, London, 15 May 1978). They have also negotiated pieces to many museums and galleries including the Victoria & Albert Museum, London; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; The collection at Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia and the National Gallery of Victoria, Australia.
Another table, which belonged to Percival Griffiths (d. 1937) at Sandridgebury, Hertfordshire, but lacking the legs' reeded trusses, has the label of the St. Paul's Church Yard cabinet-maker, Benjamin Crook, who traded at The George and White Lion from 1732 to 1748 (C. Gilbert, Pictorial Dictionary of Marked London Furniture, Leeds, 1996, p. 169, fig. 265). It was first sold by the Executors of Percival D. Griffiths Esq., Christie's, London, 10 May 1939, lot 202 and subsequently sold anonymously, Christie's, London, 15 April 1999, lot 107. It is further illustrated in: P. Macquoid and R. Edwards, The Dictionary of English Furniture, London, 1924-7, rev.ed., 1954, p. 155 (under Crook); R.W. Symonds, English Furniture from Charles II to George II, London, 1929, pp. 47, 182, 264-7, figs. 25, 139 and 217; Sir A. Heal, The London Furniture Makers, London, 1953, p. 239, fig. 21; R. Edwards and M. Jourdain, Georgian Cabinet-Makers, London, rev. ed., 1955, p. 95. A further, closely related walnut concertina-action card-table was sold anonymously, in these Rooms, 1 July 2004, lot 29 (£47,800).
PHILLIPS OF HITCHIN
This renowned firm of Antique dealers was founded by Frederick William Phillips in 1884. Following his death in 1910, the business was run by his son, Amyas Phillips (d. 1962) who helped in the formation of the Aykroyd Collection. Jerome Phillips joined in 1961 and continues the business. They were one of a coterie of dealers that specialised in superb quality 18th century mahogany and the furniture historian and advisor, R. W. Symonds regularly visited to inspect pieces on behalf of clients. Phillips of Hitchin were instrumental in the formation of many of the best collections of the second half of the 20th century including The Samuel Messer Collection (sold at Christie's, London, 5 December 1991), The Moller Collection (sold at Sotheby's, London, 18 November 1993) and in particular the collection of H. J. Joel at Childwick Bury, St. Albans (sold at Christie's, London, 15 May 1978). They have also negotiated pieces to many museums and galleries including the Victoria & Albert Museum, London; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; The collection at Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia and the National Gallery of Victoria, Australia.