A near pair of George III white painted parcel-gilt tripod tables

attributed to Thomas Chippendale, each with a gadroon-carved dish top, on a turned fluted stem ornamented with a vase, foliate and guilloche motifs, on cabriole legs with anthemion motifs and scroll feet, originally polescreens

Purchased 1997, Mallett, London. 

These are highly decorative tables. Extremely finely carved. Both have looses to paint and areas of re-painting throughout. Substantial areas of original paint can be seen in both. Both tables have some slight age cracks to the top. One table is constructed from a softwood- probably beech and is wormed in the stem and base.
"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."

The form of the bases of the present tables is of strikingly similar form to a group of tables and polescreens known to have been supplied by Thomas Chippendale strongly suggesting that the present tables could also have been made by his St Martin`s Lane workshop. Chippendale supplied two closely related pole-screens to Harewood House and also for the Tapestry Room at Newby Hall, illustrated in Christopher Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, London, 1978, 2 vols, Vol II, pl. 333 and 334. These polescreen share the same overall form to the base with scroll carved feet on flattened bases and in the case of the Harewood House example, very similar foliate and scroll carved detail. Similarities can also be drawn with a pair of mahogany torchères again made by Chippendale for Paxton House, illus, Christoppher Gilbert, op. cit. pl.385. For further comparison, see a tea or work table in `Guadalupe wood' made for Sir Lawrence Dundas for his London residence 19 Arlington Street, London illustrated Christopher Gilbert, op. cit., pl. 470.