EARLY 19TH CENTURY, THE TOP ITALIAN

With its palm-flower enriched frieze and black Greek-key ribbon banded top, the present table is designed in the Grecian manner. The table shares a distinct history with a group of furniture from Hornby which all seem to display the same dark green paint. Originally solidly gilded, the table was painted a green shade through the mixture of ochre, carbon black and Prussian blue. This phase of redecoration, probably in the first quarter of the nineteenth century, reflects the fashion for bronzed-painted furniture after the antique, popularised by designers such as Thomas Hope. By the time of the 6th Duke’s death in 1838, the table is recorded as ‘An Inlaid Marble Table on Japan'd and Gilt Stand' (p. 19). Interestingly, also recorded in the inventory is a pair of George II giltwood side tables which were described as '2 carved Japann'd with gilt pier tables with statuary marble slabs' (WYAS, Ms. DD5/20/5). Sold Christie’s, London, 5 July 2012, lot 38, the tables were photographed with green-painted bases in 1912 and 1920, however by June 1970, they had been restored to their original giltwood.