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Lot Essay
The Berkeley Square firm of William and John Linnell produced Chinese-inspired furniture for several signifciant commissions, including the Chinese Bedroom at Badminton House for the 4th Duke of Beaufort. A dressing commode, japanned in black and gold, was made for this room, circa 1752-4 and its doors have similar paling to the sides of this side table (H. Hayward and P. Kirkham, William and John Linnell, London, 1980, Vol. I, p. 58, figs. 5 and 5a).
Another related piece is a set of standing shelves, also japanned in black and gold, made for Sir Nathaniel Curzon, 5th Baronet (later Baron Scarsdale) for Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire, circa 1758. This has been attributed to William Linnell and its paling sides show a similar diagonally-inspired geometric design to the present table (ibid., p. 113, fig. 219).
Chinese-inspired furniture attributed to William Linnell was also possibly made for Mrs. Elisabeth Montagu's house in Hill Street, Mayfair in 1752, and is now at Came House, Dorset (ibid., p. 50, figs. 99-100).
A related mahogany work-table, but lacking the Chinese paling, was sold by the late Samuel Messer, Esq., Christie's, London, 5 December 1991, lot 114. The latter table was probably commissioned by Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 4th Earl of Shaftesbury (1710-1771) for St. Giles's House, Dorset and was sold by his descendant, the 9th Earl of Shaftesbury, Christie's, London, 22 October, 1953, lot 93 (310 gns).
Another related piece is a set of standing shelves, also japanned in black and gold, made for Sir Nathaniel Curzon, 5th Baronet (later Baron Scarsdale) for Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire, circa 1758. This has been attributed to William Linnell and its paling sides show a similar diagonally-inspired geometric design to the present table (ibid., p. 113, fig. 219).
Chinese-inspired furniture attributed to William Linnell was also possibly made for Mrs. Elisabeth Montagu's house in Hill Street, Mayfair in 1752, and is now at Came House, Dorset (ibid., p. 50, figs. 99-100).
A related mahogany work-table, but lacking the Chinese paling, was sold by the late Samuel Messer, Esq., Christie's, London, 5 December 1991, lot 114. The latter table was probably commissioned by Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 4th Earl of Shaftesbury (1710-1771) for St. Giles's House, Dorset and was sold by his descendant, the 9th Earl of Shaftesbury, Christie's, London, 22 October, 1953, lot 93 (310 gns).