A REGENCY IRISH CARVED MAHOGANY HALL BENCH POSSIBLY BY MACK, WILLIAMS AND GIBTON CIRCA 1815

the back-rail with the branded number 2431.

In overall good condition, with old marks, scratches and bruises, the backrest panel with two horizontal age cracks, the first approximately 23-inches in length, the other approximately 8-inches in length, small age crack to crest of back left stile, slight separation to front left and back right corners of seat at lines of construction with legs.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The design of this lot may be compared to a suite hall benches originally designed by James Wyatt for Castle Coole, Co. Fremanagh, Ireland, in the late 1790s. In the Grecian taste they were made to occupy 'The Hall, empty and stately' and 'sparsely furnished'. The commission to furnish the house was entrusted to the prominent Dublin upholsterer John Preston, the benches being made by the Dublin cabinet-maker Kidd. A number of other hall benches which are also clearly related to Wyatt's design are recorded and which similarly have an Irish provenance, some examples bearing the painted crests of the original owners. As with all these examples, the present benches share the same overall profile with splayed legs and scrolled arms, the paneled backs supporting Grecian scrolled pediments, although the present example is somewhat longer than these. A pair of benches of this model was sold at Sotheby's, New York, November 3, 2005, Property from the Collection of Lily & Edmond J. Safra, lot 176.

See:

Country Life, December 17, 1992, 'Castle Coole, County Fermanagh', John Cornforth. Pp. 28-31, fig. 1

The Knight of Glin and James Peill, Irish Furniture, London, 2007, pp. 185-188, fig. 252

This hall bench was possibly made by the highly successful Dublin firm of Mack, Williams & Gibton, whose furniture was often stamped with a series of four numbers and sometimes also labeled.  Formed around 1812, its history can be traced to the latter part of the 18th century, when John Mack established a cabinet-making business in Abbey Street, Dublin. About 1801 Mack was joined by William Gibton and in 1806, Mack and Gibton received the ultimate accolade, being appointed 'Upholsterers & Cabinet Makers to his Majesty, His Excellency the Lord Lieutentant and His Majesty's Board of works.'  Robert Gibton died in 1812 and was succeeded by his son William Gibton (1789-1842). At the same time, a former apprentice, Zachariah Williams, who had married Robert Gibton's daughter, joined the management, thus creating the new partnership of Mack, Williams and Gibton. Under this name the firm enjoyed unparalleled success, retaining its Royal Warrant for many years.  It ceased business in 1852.