This elegant pembroke table is executed in the French 'antique' style that became fashionable in drawing rooms and bedrooms from the 1760s. Its form and decoration compare closely to a group attributed to the workshop of John Cobb (d. 1778) on the celebrated suite supplied for Paul Methuen at Corsham Court in 1772 (see L. Wood, A Catalogue of Commodes, London, 1994, no. 7, pp. 88-97). Of particular note are two small commodes, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York and The Victoria and Albert Museum, London respectively, which feature similar timbers, shaped apron, and engraved corner clasps to this pembroke table (L. Wood, nos. XI and XII). The latter is also illustrated in D. Fitz-Gerald, ed., Georgian Furniture, London, 1969, p. 104.
Other firms, such as Mayhew and Ince, were producing furniture in the 'Cobb' manner but can be differentiated by certain attributes. These characteristics, which appear on this pembroke table, provide a strong argument for attribution to this firm. A commode formerly at Blenheim Palace - where Mayhew and Ince were the principle cabinet-makers to the 4th Duke of Marlborough in the 1770s - features the same ebonized borders, heavily engraved and illusionistic marquetry. Further, the two pieces share a similar ribbon-tied laurel wreath to the tops. The commode was sold Christie's, London, 5 July 1990, lot 128.
This pembroke table was part of the collection of fine neo-classic furniture formed by Marc Hass (1908-1990), former president of American Diversified Enterprises, Inc., the majority of which was sold by Christie's in New York, 14-15 October 1995.