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Lot Essay
The present table relates closely to the work of John McLean & Son, a cabinet-making firm who practiced at Marylebone Street and various addresses in London from the end of the 18th century until 1825. The lavish use of gilt-lacquered brass mounts figures prominently in McLean's work. The particular detail of a star-form drawer pull also appears on a sofa table in rosewood by McLean, which is illustrated in S. Redburn, 'John McLean and Son,' Furniture History, 1978, vol. xiv, pl. 41B. In addition, the use of rosewood veneers, which provide a strong contrast to the gilt highlights, and the fine construction are other features which support an attribution to this workshop.
The present games table relates to a group of 'Grecian' library tables of virtually identical form. Most recently, a table of this form formerly in the collection of 5th Baron Brownlow (1867-1927), Belton House, Lincolnshire was sold in these Rooms, 17 October 2003, lot 176. Another is illustrated in F. Lewis Hinckley, Hepplewhite, Sheraton & Regency Furniture, 1987, p.95, pl.181. Other examples of this model are known, including one, from the Moller Collection at Thorncombe Park, Surrey, sold Sotheby's, London, 18 November 1993, lot 127; another from the collection of the late the Hon. Mrs Pretyman, Orwell Park, Suffolk, sold Sotheby's, London, 7 July 1995, lot 138, another sold anonymously, Christie's, London, 11 November 1999, lot 60 and further example sold anonymously, Christie's, London, 5 April 2001, lot 70.
The present games table relates to a group of 'Grecian' library tables of virtually identical form. Most recently, a table of this form formerly in the collection of 5th Baron Brownlow (1867-1927), Belton House, Lincolnshire was sold in these Rooms, 17 October 2003, lot 176. Another is illustrated in F. Lewis Hinckley, Hepplewhite, Sheraton & Regency Furniture, 1987, p.95, pl.181. Other examples of this model are known, including one, from the Moller Collection at Thorncombe Park, Surrey, sold Sotheby's, London, 18 November 1993, lot 127; another from the collection of the late the Hon. Mrs Pretyman, Orwell Park, Suffolk, sold Sotheby's, London, 7 July 1995, lot 138, another sold anonymously, Christie's, London, 11 November 1999, lot 60 and further example sold anonymously, Christie's, London, 5 April 2001, lot 70.