Lot Essay
Frederick Poke (d. 1974) was one of a group of distinguished collectors of English furniture advised by the furniture historian R. W. Symonds and his collection formed the basis of several articles by Symonds, published in The Connoisseur from 1939-1942. The dispersal of Percival Griffiths' collection at Christie's in May 1939 provided the nucleus for at least six major collections, and Poke's was one of these. Items owned by Poke, like items owned by others within Symonds' circle, continue to attract numerous collectors.