CIRCA 1820-1825, ATTRIBUTED TO JAMES AND MATTHEW MORISON OF EDINBURGH AND AYR, EN SUITE WITH THE FOLLOWING LOTS (162 AND 163)

The Grecian table is designed in the French antique fashion as featured in a 'Sofa Table' pattern in the 1808, Collection of Designs for Household Furniture, issued by George Smith 'Upholder Extraordinary' to George, Prince of Wales, later George IV. Its ornament evokes the triumphal of lyric poetry, with palm-flowered pillars raised on altar-plinths capped by 'Venus' shell badges raised on the paws of chimerical griffin, recalling the poetry deity Apollo as Mt. Parnassus leader of the Muses of Artistic inspiration. The architecture with Roman truss supports reflects the work of the Mayfair 'upholder' Thomas Dowbiggin (d.1854). It is believed that M. Morison & Son used Dowbiggin's designs and or pieces from which to design their own furniture (see lot 27).