CIRCA 1780, POSSIBLY BY MAYHEW AND INCE

Details

A GEORGE III INDIAN ROSEWOOD AND MARQUETRY DEMI-LUNE CARD TABLE
CIRCA 1780, POSSIBLY BY MAYHEW AND INCE
Tulipwood crossbanded and boxwood strung throughout, the folding top inlaid with a fan medallion centred by a sunflower, with harebell and ribbon garlands, enclosing a baize-lined interior, the frieze similarly inlaid with rosette roundels, scrolling harebells and fluting, on square tapering legs and later spade feet
28 ½ in. (72.5 cm.) high; 38 in. (96.5 cm.) wide; 17 ¼ in. (44 cm.) deep

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country. Specified lots (sold and unsold) marked with a filled square not collected from Christie’s by 5.00 pm on the day of the sale will, at our option, be removed to Cadogan Tate. Christie’s will inform you if the lot has been sent offsite. Our removal and storage of the lot is subject to the terms and conditions of storage which can be found at Christies.com/storage. Please call Christie’s Client Service 24 hours in advance to book a collection time at Cadogan Tate Ltd. All collections will be by pre-booked appointment only. Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 9060 Email: cscollectionsuk@christies.com. If the lot remains at Christie’s it will be available for collection on any working day 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Lots are not available for collection at weekends.

Brought to you by

Toby Woolley

twoolley@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2227

Lot Essay

This demi-lune table is designed in the George III ‘Roman’ style, popularised by Robert Adam in Works in Architecture (1773). The tapered supports are capped by parquetry tablets of trompe l’oeil flutes: the latter together with the circular band of bead marquetry on the table-top favoured motifs adopted by the Soho cabinet-makers, John Mayhew (1736-1811) and William Ince (d. 1804) of Golden Square. The same pattern of ornament is on a Pembroke table in the collection of the Countess of Dysart at Ham House (illustrated in situ, Mrs. C. Roundell, Ham House. Its History and Art Treasures, London, 1904, vol. I, subsequently sold Sotheby’s, London, 10 April 1972, lot 64. This table is probably one of a pair exhibited by Norman Adams at The Grosvenor House Antiques Fair, London, 14-24 June 1972, p. 19).

Virtually identical card or tea tables are as follows:
- A pair of card tables, formerly in the collection of Karen D. Cohen, offered Sotheby’s, New York, 21 October 2004, lot 382
- A tea table sold Sotheby’s, New York, 26 April 2008, lot 197
- Another, sold Christie’s, South Kensington, 12 May 2009, lot 311

Other furniture with the same marquetry includes:
- A Pembroke table, sold Sotheby’s, London, 24 April 1998, lot 101
- Another sold, ‘The Price Collection’, Sotheby’s London, 22 November 2000, lot 182
- A further one, sold, ‘Tom Devenish: The Collection’, Sotheby’s, New York, 24 April 2008, lot 135
- A tea tray, illustrated R. Edwards, Dictionary of English Furniture, London, 1953, vol. III, p. 348, fig. 8.

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