A George II mahogany serving table

the underside of the top with chalked inscription Leg Faulty / When Received, and 567 18/10/77, and with an old paper label inscribed 5260 / N.n.- / a. pa. -. Top associated.

Henry Herbert, 7th Earl of Carnarvon, Highclere Castle, Hampshire

Sold Sotheby's, London June 6, 2006, lot 304

Overall restored condition; the associated solid mahogany top with numerous surface abrasions, scuffs, stains, and scratches; the veneers to the frieze with numerous vertical age cracks and minor lifting; the central stylized scallop shell carving with loss to the bottom tip and with two replaced sections to the scrolled acanthus carving flanking it; the same carving with age cracks and repairs; the underside with a replaced wood brace; old glue repairs to the right legs at joins with frieze; legs stable; minor chips and losses to flower-head moldings throughout; the feet to the legs each with a screw to the underside; overall with old marks, scratches, scuffs and bruises consistent with age and use.
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 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.  The most distinguished of this group is a pair formerly at Langley Park, Norfolk.  Another was formerly in the collection of the Earls of Poulett at Hinton House.  These tables and the Langley Park tables both have cabriole legs.  Although neither of these is documented, one at Chevening House, Kent (Old Furniture, op. cit) which has a similar frieze centered by a shell and chamfered square legs was possibly the 'large slab frame' £3 6s. supplied by to the second Earl of Stanhope in 1736/7 by William Bradshaw. (fl.1728-d.1775).  Bradshaw 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, Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, The Collection of Helen Porter Pryibil, November 20-21, 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.