Lot Essay
The golden mosaic-compartmented table top is labelled with a Baron's coronet-ensigned 'CWM' cipher sculpted in bas-relief within a palm and laurel-enriched cartouche; while laurel-sprigged spandrel cartouches are incorporated in a fretted and filigreed ribbon border that reflects the Louis Quatorze Roman fashion associated with Jean Bérain.
With its rectilinear frame comprising straight pilasters terminating in Bérainesque urn-shaped and foliated plinths, and crossed stretcher-ties providing a 'vase' plinth, it relates the pattern of pier-tables and lacquer-cabinet stands that were chosen for London's Montagu House, and have been attributed to the court cabinet-maker James Moore (d.1726). Moore's name labels one related cipher-enriched table, commissioned for George I; while another related table was formerly in the Collection of the Earls of Dudley (see T. Murdoch ed., Boughton House, London, 1992 pls. 26 and 80; and T. Murdoch, 'The King's cabinet-maker: the giltwood furniture of James Moore the Elder', Burlington Magazine, June 2003, pp.408-420, figs. 6 and 5; Sotheby's, London, 20 February, 1976 , lot 70). A similarly mosaiced and antique-stippled top appears on a table, bearing an HW cipher, that was formerly in the 20th century collection assembled by Lord Plender (see R.W. Symonds, Masterpieces of English Furniture and Clocks, 1986, p.72).
With its rectilinear frame comprising straight pilasters terminating in Bérainesque urn-shaped and foliated plinths, and crossed stretcher-ties providing a 'vase' plinth, it relates the pattern of pier-tables and lacquer-cabinet stands that were chosen for London's Montagu House, and have been attributed to the court cabinet-maker James Moore (d.1726). Moore's name labels one related cipher-enriched table, commissioned for George I; while another related table was formerly in the Collection of the Earls of Dudley (see T. Murdoch ed., Boughton House, London, 1992 pls. 26 and 80; and T. Murdoch, 'The King's cabinet-maker: the giltwood furniture of James Moore the Elder', Burlington Magazine, June 2003, pp.408-420, figs. 6 and 5; Sotheby's, London, 20 February, 1976 , lot 70). A similarly mosaiced and antique-stippled top appears on a table, bearing an HW cipher, that was formerly in the 20th century collection assembled by Lord Plender (see R.W. Symonds, Masterpieces of English Furniture and Clocks, 1986, p.72).