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Lot Essay
The pattern of this writing-table corresponds to one with 'handsome pillar ends', and a reeded and leather-lined top which featured in Gillows' 1824 Estimate Sketch Book, no. 3371 (Westminster City Archive).
Such writing-tables were clearly popular in furnishing large houses around this date as one with an ormolu gallery and leather-lined top is recorded in the Gillows bill of 1822 to William 4th Earl of Fitzwilliam, for Wentworth Woodhouse, Yorkshire (sold by the Trustees of the Olive, Countess Fitzwilliam Chattels Settlement, Wentworth Woodhouse, Yorkshire, Christie's, London, 8 July 1998, lot 83). Another was supplied for John, 1st Earl Brownlow (d. 1853), possibly for Carlton House Terrace or for Belton House, Lincolnshire and sold by Lord Brownlow, Belton House, Lincolnshire, Christie's house sale, 30 April - 2 May 1984, lot 87. A further table with similar supports but with downswept legs is illustrated in situ in the Great Library at Belton House in H.A. Tipping, English Homes, period IV, vol. I, p. 222. Another table of this form was sold anonymously, Christie's, London, 16 September 2004, lot 52.
Such writing-tables were clearly popular in furnishing large houses around this date as one with an ormolu gallery and leather-lined top is recorded in the Gillows bill of 1822 to William 4th Earl of Fitzwilliam, for Wentworth Woodhouse, Yorkshire (sold by the Trustees of the Olive, Countess Fitzwilliam Chattels Settlement, Wentworth Woodhouse, Yorkshire, Christie's, London, 8 July 1998, lot 83). Another was supplied for John, 1st Earl Brownlow (d. 1853), possibly for Carlton House Terrace or for Belton House, Lincolnshire and sold by Lord Brownlow, Belton House, Lincolnshire, Christie's house sale, 30 April - 2 May 1984, lot 87. A further table with similar supports but with downswept legs is illustrated in situ in the Great Library at Belton House in H.A. Tipping, English Homes, period IV, vol. I, p. 222. Another table of this form was sold anonymously, Christie's, London, 16 September 2004, lot 52.