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Lot Essay
This table has several characteristics that are associated with the Dublin firm of Mack, Williams and Gibton, including the thickly reeded edge to the top, the large leaf-carved 'hip' on the leg and the thick baluster columns.
The successful partnership of Mack, Williams and Gibton was formed in around 1812 and the firm flourished under this name until the death of John Mack in 1829. The firm is recognized for the superb timbers employed and their high quality of workmanship which is often compared to Gillows of Lancaster and London. Much of the furniture they produced was inspired by designs published by Thomas Hope and George Smith. The original partners John Mack and Robert Gibton are listed in the Dublin directories individually from 1784 and 1790, respectively, and appear to have come into partnership from 1803. They were appointed 'Upholsterers & Cabinet Makers to his Majesty, His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant and His Majesty's Board of Works' in 1806 and the firm retained this Royal Warranty for many years, supplying and restoring furniture for important public buildings in Ireland including the Four Courts, the War Office, the Barracks Office, Dublin Castle and the Treasury and Viceregal Lodge. Some of their more distinguished private commissions include Ballynegall, Co.Westmeath, Oakley Park, Co.Meath and Strokestown, Co.Roscommon. The firm regularly labeled their furniture, and used a system of an impressed four digit number often together with a letter.
A closely related and numbered table by Mack, Williams and Gibton was sold by a New York collector, Christie's, New York, 16 April 2002, lot 261 ($107,550 including premium). Other similar tables attributed to the firm were sold anonymously, Christie's, London, 15 April 1999, lot 161 (£65,300 including premium), and Christie's, New York, 7 April 2009, lot 47 ($74,500 including premium).
The successful partnership of Mack, Williams and Gibton was formed in around 1812 and the firm flourished under this name until the death of John Mack in 1829. The firm is recognized for the superb timbers employed and their high quality of workmanship which is often compared to Gillows of Lancaster and London. Much of the furniture they produced was inspired by designs published by Thomas Hope and George Smith. The original partners John Mack and Robert Gibton are listed in the Dublin directories individually from 1784 and 1790, respectively, and appear to have come into partnership from 1803. They were appointed 'Upholsterers & Cabinet Makers to his Majesty, His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant and His Majesty's Board of Works' in 1806 and the firm retained this Royal Warranty for many years, supplying and restoring furniture for important public buildings in Ireland including the Four Courts, the War Office, the Barracks Office, Dublin Castle and the Treasury and Viceregal Lodge. Some of their more distinguished private commissions include Ballynegall, Co.Westmeath, Oakley Park, Co.Meath and Strokestown, Co.Roscommon. The firm regularly labeled their furniture, and used a system of an impressed four digit number often together with a letter.
A closely related and numbered table by Mack, Williams and Gibton was sold by a New York collector, Christie's, New York, 16 April 2002, lot 261 ($107,550 including premium). Other similar tables attributed to the firm were sold anonymously, Christie's, London, 15 April 1999, lot 161 (£65,300 including premium), and Christie's, New York, 7 April 2009, lot 47 ($74,500 including premium).