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Lot Essay
The table derives from a Renaissance revival model exhibited by the Mayfair firm, Messrs. Holland & Sons, at the London International Exhibition, 1862 (J. Meyer, Great Exhibitions 1851-1900, 2006, p. 122, fig. D25). A spectacular Exhibition piece, the prototype combined central ornamentation depicting a spider's web inlaid in silver and ivory, a border of Old Master inspired vignettes and marquetry of the highest order in a wide range of exotic woods. The firm's Exhibition table was highly commended, 'by means of employing well-qualified designers, by great excellence in technical processes... [Holland & Sons had] attained to the highest position as furniture-makers, and would certainly have obtained a medal for the finely-executed, marquetrie table, but for the fact that Mr. Holland accepted the honorary post of a juror in his class, which is one of the greatest distinctions' (J. Waring, Masterpieces of Industrial Art and Sculpture at the International Exhibition 1862, 1863, I, pl. 40). The table's 'excellently designed stand' with its ormolu-enriched tripod pillars and urn-capped and Grecian-scrolled 'claw', being 'very rich and harmonious' was also praised (ibid.).
The success of the Exhibition table led to commercial production; the present lot conforms to the same pattern and is typically high quality, if inevitably less elaborate. Versions of this table with slight variation are not uncommon.
Related examples include:
A similar table sold Christie's King Street, 23 April 2009, lot 174 (£56,450 including premium).
Another sold Sotheby's Olympia, 11 February 2003, lot 437 (£26,000???).
HOLLAND AND SONS
Holland and Sons were among the most distinguished furniture producers of the Victorian period, starting as Taprell and Holland at the beginning of the 19th century, and becoming Holland and Sons in 1843. They supplied the furniture for many of the London clubs including the Athenaeum, the Reform Club and the Oxford and Cambridge Club. They took over premises in Mount Street in 1851 and their archives dating to 1942, when the firm ceased trading, are preserved in the Victoria and Albert Museum.
The success of the Exhibition table led to commercial production; the present lot conforms to the same pattern and is typically high quality, if inevitably less elaborate. Versions of this table with slight variation are not uncommon.
Related examples include:
A similar table sold Christie's King Street, 23 April 2009, lot 174 (£56,450 including premium).
Another sold Sotheby's Olympia, 11 February 2003, lot 437 (£26,000???).
HOLLAND AND SONS
Holland and Sons were among the most distinguished furniture producers of the Victorian period, starting as Taprell and Holland at the beginning of the 19th century, and becoming Holland and Sons in 1843. They supplied the furniture for many of the London clubs including the Athenaeum, the Reform Club and the Oxford and Cambridge Club. They took over premises in Mount Street in 1851 and their archives dating to 1942, when the firm ceased trading, are preserved in the Victoria and Albert Museum.