A FINE GEORGE II CARVED MAHOGANY MARBLE TOP SIDE TABLE circa 1740

the Portor marble top above a figured veneered frieze enriched with egg-and-dart and ribbon-and-rosette carved moldings and centered by a crisply carved shell, the cabriole legs carved with acanthus leaves and with claw and ball feet; the underside of marble top with a paper label with the inked inscription 24 Slab Frame, the underside of the marble top with a paper label with the inscription 32/Thirty-two. Possibly originally parcel gilt, repaired break to marble top.

Sir John Ramsden, Bart., Bulstrode, Gerrard's Cross, Buckinghamshire
Sold Christie, Manson & Woods, London, July 8 1930, lot 54
Sold in these rooms, April 7, 2004, lot 175

Overall good condition; the associated later marble top with small shallow chips to the front left corner with minor infilling and with small chips and wear to the edges overall; the veneer to the frieze with small age cracks and tears at corners over lines of construction; replacements to tips of brackets of back left and right legs; chip to tip of front right leg side bracket; bottom tip of central shell carving appears to be replaced; Back feet showing original lines of construction; overall with minor old scratches, scuffs, nicks, and bruises consistent with age and use. Please note the table was probably not originally parcel-gilt as stated in the catalogue description.
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 present lot belongs to a small group of similarly conceived marble-topped tables, each distinguished by the use of exceptionally fine mahogany crisply carved and with fine detail. Each has the distinctive shell carving at the center of the frieze and strongly formed cabriole legs, either with claw and ball or hairy paw toes. Of these, a pair, formerly at Langley Park, Norfolk, is the most distinguished, the frieze enriched with Greek key fretwork, the legs headed by shells rising into the frieze and with carved flower heads and leaves below. Another, formerly in the collection of the Earls of Poulett at Hinton House, Somerset, is almost identical to the present example, but has paw feet, the verde antico marble top being inlaid with various specimen marbles. Although neither of these is documented, one at Chevening House, Kent, (Old Furniture, op. cit) which has a similar frieze centered by shells but with square chamfered legs, was possibly supplied to the second Earl of Stanhope in the mid 1730s, by William Bradshaw. Bradshaw (fl. 1728-d. 1775) is first recorded at premises in Frith Street, which were formerly occupied by Joshua Morris the tapestry maker, a trade which Bradshaw seems to have continued in partnership with the artist Tobias Stranover. His other clients included Lord Folkestone at Longford Castle and the 1st Earl of Leicester at Holkham Hall. Another unprovenanced table with straight legs was sold at Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, The Collection of Helen Porter Pryibil, November 20 and 21, 1969, lot 1048.

See:

Country Life, October 15 1927, Oliver Bracket, 'Furniture at Langley Park,' fig. 2

Old Furniture, Vol. 7, May-August 1929, 'Furniture at Chevening House,' Oliver Bracket, p. 72, fig. 5

The Hinton House Table: Sotheby's sale, November 1, 1968, lot 52