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Lot Essay
This table is linked stylistically to a group of tables of markedly architectural design usually attributed to Matthias Lock, on the basis of a pair of tables now at Temple Newsam (Christopher Gilbert, Catalogue, vol. II, 1978, no. 466) which closely correspond to a drawing by Lock at the Victoria & Albert Museum (2848.98). The Temple Newsam tables were formerly at Ditchley House, where the architect Henry Flitcroft is known to have supplied five designs for table frames for the Earl of Litchfield in 1748-9. Similarly, there are tables from this group at Wentworth Woodhouse, Woburn Abbey and St. Giles's House, Dorset, all houses where Flitcroft worked. The Woburn tables were supplied by John West in 1757 at a cost of £45. The existence of the Ditchley tables suggests the strong possibility of a link between Flitcroft and Lock. Another pair of exactly this model, supplied to the 4th Earl of Shaftesbury (d. 1771) for St Giles's House, Dorset, was sold Christie's London, 26 June 1980, lot 84. They are now in the Ranger's House, Blackheath.
The superbly figured Grand Tour 'slab' of veneered alabastro fiorito was no doubt acquired by the English patron of these tables on his Italian Grand Tour. Dating probably from the 1740s, its figured panels are quarter-veneered and 'book-matched'. It was, however, too deep for the original architectural scheme envisaged by the architect, presumably Flitcroft, so when the 'slab-frame' was commissioned in around 1750 the top was made slightly less deep to the reverse edge.
HENRY FLITCROFT
Henry Flitcroft (d. 1767) was a protégé of Richard Boyle, 3rd Earl of Burlington and it was in his office that he had earned the title of 'Burlington Harry'. Burlington was recognised as England's Apollo of the Arts, and his 'High Priest' was the Rome-trained artist William Kent (d. 1748). Aided by the latter's influential post on the Royal Board of Architectural Works, Burlington was able to promulgate his version of Vitruvius Britannicus with the introduction of a Roman style of British interior architecture. He elevated the Stuart court architect Inigo Jones (d. 1652) and represented him as the first to move through the architecture of Andrea Palladio to revive a true Roman form of interior decoration. In particular, it was the Jonesian 'truss', or bracket motif, that Hogarth was to carry to a richer stage with his celebrated serpentined line.
Flitcroft, like other leading architects, provided furniture designs to harmonise with the architecture and symbolism of his patrons' rooms. Indeed it was stressed by Chippendale in his Director preface that the Science of Architecture was the 'Soul and Basis' of the Cabinet-Maker's Art.
This table was formely in the collection of Graham Baron Ash at Wiongfield Castle. A connoisseur and aesthete, Baron Ash collected early pictures and 18th Century furniture - including the sculptural Wanstead stool sold anonymously at Christie's London, 24 April 2008, lot 340. Although stylistically this Palladian table would have worked architecturally in the sumptuous Wanstead interiors, there is no apparent description to match in the catalogue of the Wanstead sale carried out by George Robins between 10 June and 23 July 1822.
The superbly figured Grand Tour 'slab' of veneered alabastro fiorito was no doubt acquired by the English patron of these tables on his Italian Grand Tour. Dating probably from the 1740s, its figured panels are quarter-veneered and 'book-matched'. It was, however, too deep for the original architectural scheme envisaged by the architect, presumably Flitcroft, so when the 'slab-frame' was commissioned in around 1750 the top was made slightly less deep to the reverse edge.
HENRY FLITCROFT
Henry Flitcroft (d. 1767) was a protégé of Richard Boyle, 3rd Earl of Burlington and it was in his office that he had earned the title of 'Burlington Harry'. Burlington was recognised as England's Apollo of the Arts, and his 'High Priest' was the Rome-trained artist William Kent (d. 1748). Aided by the latter's influential post on the Royal Board of Architectural Works, Burlington was able to promulgate his version of Vitruvius Britannicus with the introduction of a Roman style of British interior architecture. He elevated the Stuart court architect Inigo Jones (d. 1652) and represented him as the first to move through the architecture of Andrea Palladio to revive a true Roman form of interior decoration. In particular, it was the Jonesian 'truss', or bracket motif, that Hogarth was to carry to a richer stage with his celebrated serpentined line.
Flitcroft, like other leading architects, provided furniture designs to harmonise with the architecture and symbolism of his patrons' rooms. Indeed it was stressed by Chippendale in his Director preface that the Science of Architecture was the 'Soul and Basis' of the Cabinet-Maker's Art.
This table was formely in the collection of Graham Baron Ash at Wiongfield Castle. A connoisseur and aesthete, Baron Ash collected early pictures and 18th Century furniture - including the sculptural Wanstead stool sold anonymously at Christie's London, 24 April 2008, lot 340. Although stylistically this Palladian table would have worked architecturally in the sumptuous Wanstead interiors, there is no apparent description to match in the catalogue of the Wanstead sale carried out by George Robins between 10 June and 23 July 1822.