.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
These boldly carved oak tables with their layered C-scroll and stylized foliate supports relate to a number of designs from Gillow's Estimate Sketch-Book dated circa 1838. In particular a design dated October 16th presents a side-board with an almost identical leg (see fig. 1).
West Acre High House in Norfolk was built by the translator and eccentric Edward Spelman (d. 1767) in 1756. Having inherited the land from the Barkham family, he designed and built a house in the Italian manner with the priciple reception rooms on the first floor - or what was known as the piano nobile arrangement.
The estate was purchased in 1761 by a Richard Hamond, whose nephew Anthony oversaw the next major architectural development of the house adding wings to the north front. In 1829 the house was re-faced in Holkham brick and crenellated by the country house architect W. J. Donthorn (see fig. 1). Little is known of the interior schemes of the house at this date and the present tables date from between this second phase of development and the purchasing of the house by the wealthy Norwich banking family, the Birkbecks.
The Birkbeck family who had been landowners in the area since the 18th century purchased the house and estate in 1897. The estate was recently purchased by sculptor Anthony Gormley.
West Acre High House in Norfolk was built by the translator and eccentric Edward Spelman (d. 1767) in 1756. Having inherited the land from the Barkham family, he designed and built a house in the Italian manner with the priciple reception rooms on the first floor - or what was known as the piano nobile arrangement.
The estate was purchased in 1761 by a Richard Hamond, whose nephew Anthony oversaw the next major architectural development of the house adding wings to the north front. In 1829 the house was re-faced in Holkham brick and crenellated by the country house architect W. J. Donthorn (see fig. 1). Little is known of the interior schemes of the house at this date and the present tables date from between this second phase of development and the purchasing of the house by the wealthy Norwich banking family, the Birkbecks.
The Birkbeck family who had been landowners in the area since the 18th century purchased the house and estate in 1897. The estate was recently purchased by sculptor Anthony Gormley.