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Lot Essay
The design of this table is virtually identical to another with rising writing section formerly in the collections of Colonel Fearon Tibbing and H.A. Tipping as illustrated in P. Macquoid's The Age of Satinwood, London, 1908, p. 95, fig. 88 and also in P. Macquoid and R. Edwards, The Dictionary of English Furniture, London, 1927, vol. III, p. 247, fig. 5. Another Pembroke table of this design whose drawer was ingeniously fitted with a bookrest and candlearms was sold from a New York Townhouse, Christie's New York, 15 April 2005, lot 252. A small cabinet-on-stand in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, features the same oval yew panels and beaded borders (see M. Tomlin, Catalogue of Adam Period Furniture, London, 1972, p. 166, no. T/11).
According to Thomas Sheraton's The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Drawing Book, 1793 (pl. LVI), this more elaborate type of writing-table served as 'not only as a breakfast, but also as a writing table, very suitable for a lady. It is termed a Harlequin table, for no other reason but because, in exhibitions of that sort, there is a great deal of machinery introduced into the scenery.'
According to Thomas Sheraton's The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Drawing Book, 1793 (pl. LVI), this more elaborate type of writing-table served as 'not only as a breakfast, but also as a writing table, very suitable for a lady. It is termed a Harlequin table, for no other reason but because, in exhibitions of that sort, there is a great deal of machinery introduced into the scenery.'