Lot Essay
This unusual and exotic 'Indian' pier table would originally have accompanied a mirror to form a bedroom apartment pier-set, such as the silvered gesso table bearing the arms of Meller supplied by John Belchier (d.1753) in 1723 for Erddig, Wales. Its rare combination of gilt-gesso and lacquer recalls the celebrated Royal prototypes supplied by Gerrit Jensen and Thomas Pelletier for Queen Anne's use at St. James's Palace following her accession in 1702. They are recorded in the Lord Chamberlain's Papers for 1704-5: 'Gerrit Jensen, Cabinet Maker...At St. James's...For making up two tables of the tops of the Indian cabinet with carv'd guilded frames to them..£44.
This unusual combination is also seen on the celebrated dressing table at Longford Castle, Wiltshire, which was probably supplied for Sir Jacob de Bouverie (created 1st Viscount Folkestone in 1747) when he succeeded his brother in 1736 (R. Edwards, ed., The Dictionary of English Furniture, rev.ed., 1954, vol. III, p. 225, fig. 6). Lord Folkestone employed many of the leading London cabinet-makers of his day, notably Benjamin Goodison, who was apprenticed to James Moore from about 1720 and succeeded him as cabinet-maker to the Royal household.
The paper storage label was applied by the Lord Chamberlain's Department, when the table was stored at Buckingham Palace.
This unusual combination is also seen on the celebrated dressing table at Longford Castle, Wiltshire, which was probably supplied for Sir Jacob de Bouverie (created 1st Viscount Folkestone in 1747) when he succeeded his brother in 1736 (R. Edwards, ed., The Dictionary of English Furniture, rev.ed., 1954, vol. III, p. 225, fig. 6). Lord Folkestone employed many of the leading London cabinet-makers of his day, notably Benjamin Goodison, who was apprenticed to James Moore from about 1720 and succeeded him as cabinet-maker to the Royal household.
The paper storage label was applied by the Lord Chamberlain's Department, when the table was stored at Buckingham Palace.