A George I gilt-gesso console table circa 1725, attributed to John Phillips

the elaborately carved top in low relief above a frieze of Vitruvian scrolls with a boldly carved cartouche apron with garlands, on S shaped carved legs, the apron and legs joined by S-shaped stretcher, all on possibly later stained plinth base

Acquired from Spink & Son, Ltd., London, 24th January 1969.

G. Beard, C. Gilbert, Dictionary of English Furniture Makers 1660-1840, Furniture History Society, 1986, p. 695;
A. Bowett, Early Georgian Furniture 1715-1740, Antique Collectors’ Club, 2009, fig. 5:60;
G. Wills, English Looking Glasses,  A.S. Barnes and Co, 1965, p.156.

This impressive table has been regilded, painted surface was probably originally gilded, there are shrinking cracks to top and plinth; the top with inpainted repairs, repairs to frieze, back rail with later support tablets and moulding, there are losses to gilding and crack to left garland and break to right garland, there are later blocks and repairs to rails.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This unusual console table can be attributed to the London cabinet-maker John Phillips on the basis of the very strong similarities between the design of its top to the console table in Badminton House, supplied by Phillips in 1728-33 to the 3^rd Duke of Beaufort, Henry Somerset-Scudamore (Bowett, Early Georgian, p.231). It also bears a similar Vitruvian scroll frieze centred by shell and the same plinth base with floral moulding. The Badminton House table has two sphinxes as supports showing the influence of William Kent, although the current table reflects the French influence of Huguenot cabinet-makers like Jean Pelletier, namely in the elaborate ‘S’ shaped stretcher and also with the unconstrained design pattern of the top, which both share.

John Phillips (active 1725-62) was a London cabinet-maker with shop at 'the corner of St Paul's Chain in St Paul's Churchyard' where, in May 1725, he took an insurance cover of £1000 for its goods. He moved his shop – called ‘The Cabinet’ - to Cornhill, against St Peter’s church, in 1732 (G. Beard,  Dictionary), while he was actively supplying the Duke of Beaufort. Bills for the period between 1728 and 1733 show he received £444 9s 6d for his services to the Duke and Duchess. He supplied Badminton not only with a sphinx table but also a dolphin table and an eagle table, the latter using the aforementioned scroll and plinth moulding. Phillips is also recorded as a glass-maker.