A fine George II mahogany side table circa 1755

F. Lewis Hinckley, Metropolitan Furniture of the Georgian Years, 1988, p. 119, ill. 185

The mahogany top later, possibly once with a marble top. Overall good restored condition; the solid two-board top with warpage at center of top where joined together, the underside previously with blocks at join of two-boards; refinished and with old marks, stains and scratches; one infilled bruise to front left quadrant ; old repaired cracks and breaks to the reeded molded edges, especially to the sides with areas of inpainting; the left frieze with a replaced section to the lower molded edge approximately 12 inches in length, the flower-head to the side frieze closest to the front left leg is replaced; chip to back left corner molding below top The back left corner bracket with two infilled age cracks and with a replaced leaf tip; the back left leg with an old infilled repaired break to the top; scrolled toe to back left leg with an old large chip which has been sanded and polished and with small chips and losses to the edges and to faceted foot. The front left side bracket with replaced leaf tip and with a shim at join with leg; small chips and losses to acanthus carving of front left leg with chips to one tip of the scalloped spray and to band; minor chips and scratches to the front left toe; infilled age cracks to the front left bracket and with a replaced leaf tip. Front right bracket with age crack to the right of the leaf tip with infilling, shim with wax extrusion at join of bracket and leg; right side front bracket with an infilled age crack and with a replaced and inpainted leaf tip; scrolled toe to front right leg with a replaced chip and with chips and scratches; minor chips and nicks to acanthus carving of front right leg; right side back bracket with a replaced leaf tip which is loose but present; infilled bruise to back right leg; the back brackets with age cracks; the back left bracket with a replaced section inclusive of the tip; the back right bracket with a replaced tip. Overall with some shims and infilling at joins of legs and brackets; toes with small nicks and wear to edges; overall with old marks, scratches, scuffs and bruises consistent with age.
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.

Designs for 'marble' or 'pier' tables are found in William Jones, The Gentleman or Builder's Companion, 1739, ('Frames for marble tables in Rooms of State, etc. Ten designs for the feet and frames of marble tables, after the French manner'), or Batty Langley, The City and Country Builder's and Workman's Treasury of Designs, 1740.  These tables were used for candelabra and sometimes as supports for pier mirrors above.  Described in Thomas Chippendale's The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director, 1753, as 'Sideboard Tables', one of their uses by the mid 18^th century evolved into the display of silver and gold plate in dining rooms at the far end of a room, sometimes as pairs of tables.

The present table shares related carved motifs with a pair of tables from the Garden Saloon at Hagley Hall, Worcestershire, attributed to Vile and Cobb, sold, Christie's, London, June 14, 2001, lot 50.  These tables and a pair of chairs, also from Hagley, sold, Sotheby's, London, June 4, 2008, lot 98, share a similar trussed acanthus leaf carving to the cabriole legs and boldly scrolled feet, as found on the present table.  A George III mahogany breakfront library bookcase, also attributed to Vile and Cobb, was sold Christie's London, December 5, 1991, lot 131, its frieze embellished with similar flower heads above scrolled brackets, the doors with similar rosettes.  A. Willson illustrates related designs for 'Italian' and 'Roman' frets with flower heads within fretwork in The Antique and Modern Embellisher, 1766; see E. White, Pictorial Dictionary of British 18^th Century Furniture Design, Woodbridge: Antique Collectors' Club, 1990, p. 420, pls. 6 and 12.