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拍品專文
These elegant pedestals can be confidently attributed to Mayhew and Ince based on stylistic grounds, most notably the conspicuous use of ebonized husk swags. Three similarly embellished commodes form part of collections supplied by the firm. The first, at Blenheim Palace, was almost certainly commissioned by the 4th Duke of Marlborough where extensive (but not complete) records reveal Mayhew’s dominance from 1773 through the 1780s (see H. Roberts, 'Furniture for the 4th Duke of Marlborough', Furniture History, 1994, pp. 123 and 138, fig. 26). Another from Burley-on-the-Hill, illustrated in R. Edwards and P. Macquoid’s The Dictionary of English Furniture, 1954 (vol. II, p. 52, fig. 56) was later sold from the Simon Sainsbury collection, Christie’s, London, 18 June 2008, lot 250. Daniel Finch, 9th Earl of Winchilsea and 4th Earl of Nottingham (d. 1826) patronized the firm during the house’s refurbishment in the 1770s, writing in 1774 ‘I have got a number of things from Mayhew. I am sure the house will soon have a more furnished look’ (C. Hussey, ‘Burley-on-the-Hill’, Country Life, 17 February 1923, p. 217). A further commode is part of Mayhew's documented commission at Burghley House.
The pedestals may have been supplied to James Lowther, 1st Earl of Lonsdale (d. 1802), and descended through the 3rd Earl’s younger brother, William Lowther, to his son who was created Viscount Ullswater in 1921 and inherited the High House at Campsea Ashe, Suffolk. Given that there was no significant late 18th century remodeling at High House, it supports the possibility that they were inherited through the Earls of Lonsdale, especially as the Hon. William's relationship with his uncle, 2nd Earl of Lonsdale (d. 1872; he remained a bachelor), was particularly close. The 1st Earl was a patron of Robert Adam in the 1760s at their principal seat at Whitehaven Castle, where he supplied a ceiling design in 1769; it is assumed that Adam also partook in the furnishings there (see The Collection of Professor Sir Albert Richardson, P.R.A.; Christie’s, London, 18-19 September 2013, lot 115). A giltwood pier table frame with scagliola top from Lowther, possibly by Mayhew, was sold anonymously Christie’s, London, 27 June 1985, lot 146, while a marquetry pembroke table attributed to the firm had belonged to Gladys, Lady de Grey, Marchioness of Ripon (d. 1917) who had previously been married to the 4th Earl of Lonsdale (sold Christie’s, New York, 7 June 2011, lot 412).
The pedestals may have been supplied to James Lowther, 1st Earl of Lonsdale (d. 1802), and descended through the 3rd Earl’s younger brother, William Lowther, to his son who was created Viscount Ullswater in 1921 and inherited the High House at Campsea Ashe, Suffolk. Given that there was no significant late 18th century remodeling at High House, it supports the possibility that they were inherited through the Earls of Lonsdale, especially as the Hon. William's relationship with his uncle, 2nd Earl of Lonsdale (d. 1872; he remained a bachelor), was particularly close. The 1st Earl was a patron of Robert Adam in the 1760s at their principal seat at Whitehaven Castle, where he supplied a ceiling design in 1769; it is assumed that Adam also partook in the furnishings there (see The Collection of Professor Sir Albert Richardson, P.R.A.; Christie’s, London, 18-19 September 2013, lot 115). A giltwood pier table frame with scagliola top from Lowther, possibly by Mayhew, was sold anonymously Christie’s, London, 27 June 1985, lot 146, while a marquetry pembroke table attributed to the firm had belonged to Gladys, Lady de Grey, Marchioness of Ripon (d. 1917) who had previously been married to the 4th Earl of Lonsdale (sold Christie’s, New York, 7 June 2011, lot 412).