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Lot Essay
The library or centre writing-table is of a design commonly associated with the Little Newport Street and Upper Marylebone Street cabinet-makers John McLean and Son (active 1770-1815). A number of comparable tables are known, differing in detail, but many featuring McLean's distinctive ribbed panels. Common features include re-entrant corners and the combination of black grained rosewood and ormolu mounts. A further signifier of a high quality cabinet-maker is the use of cedar wood drawer linings.
A virtually identical table is illustrated in C. Claxton Stevens and S. Whittingham, 18th Century English Furniture The Norman Adams Collection, Woodbridge, 1983, p. 160. A similar table was sold by the Earl of Haddington , Tyninghame, East Lothian, Sotheby's house sale, 28 - 29 September 1987, lot 73, and another was sold anonymously, Christie's, London, 10 April 2003, lot 41 (£17,925 including premium).
A virtually identical table is illustrated in C. Claxton Stevens and S. Whittingham, 18th Century English Furniture The Norman Adams Collection, Woodbridge, 1983, p. 160. A similar table was sold by the Earl of Haddington , Tyninghame, East Lothian, Sotheby's house sale, 28 - 29 September 1987, lot 73, and another was sold anonymously, Christie's, London, 10 April 2003, lot 41 (£17,925 including premium).