Lot Essay
The table legs' Egyptian-reed and brass enrichments reflects the late 18th Century fashion promoted by architects such as Henry Holland (d. 1806). Related legs feature on an early 19th Century 'Carlton House' writing-table in the Royal Collection (H. Roberts, 'The First Carlton House Table?', Furniture History, 1995, p. 126, fig. 3).
The locks made by the firm of 'E. Gascoigne' are to be found on some of the most distinguished pieces of furniture made in the final quarter of the 18th Century. The firm was based at 37 Bury Street, St James's and from 1777-1786 was run by James Gascoigne and later, from 1787-1795, by Mrs. (Rachael) Gascoigne. Their stamp is to be found on the locks of Queen Charlotte's jewel cabinet supplied by Vile and Cobb in 1762, as well as on several mahogany doors supplied to Blenheim by Mayhew and Ince in 1776-77 and 1787. A commode attributed to Thomas Chippendale, sold from the collection of Samuel Messer, in these Rooms, 5 December 1991, lot 130 and a further commode by Thomas Chippendale sold anonymously, in these Rooms, 6 July 1995, lot 152 both have locks stamped 'E. GASCOINE'. The pair to the latter commode in the Lady Lever Art Gallery also bears the same stamped locks (L.Wood, Catalogue of Commodes, London, 1994, pp. 184-185, 187, 189).
The locks made by the firm of 'E. Gascoigne' are to be found on some of the most distinguished pieces of furniture made in the final quarter of the 18th Century. The firm was based at 37 Bury Street, St James's and from 1777-1786 was run by James Gascoigne and later, from 1787-1795, by Mrs. (Rachael) Gascoigne. Their stamp is to be found on the locks of Queen Charlotte's jewel cabinet supplied by Vile and Cobb in 1762, as well as on several mahogany doors supplied to Blenheim by Mayhew and Ince in 1776-77 and 1787. A commode attributed to Thomas Chippendale, sold from the collection of Samuel Messer, in these Rooms, 5 December 1991, lot 130 and a further commode by Thomas Chippendale sold anonymously, in these Rooms, 6 July 1995, lot 152 both have locks stamped 'E. GASCOINE'. The pair to the latter commode in the Lady Lever Art Gallery also bears the same stamped locks (L.Wood, Catalogue of Commodes, London, 1994, pp. 184-185, 187, 189).