A Victorian Devon specimen marble octagonal occasional table, late 19th century

The use of marbles native to Devon are associated to some of the great Victorian buildings across the British Empire but furniture and small objects were produced in the Torquay and Plymouth, south Devon where successful manufactures were established, led by the Woodley family who owned the quarry at Petitor and produced the famous large scale Devonshire specimen marble table now at the National History Museum, London.

The present lot, with its fluted baluster base and rich choice of Devon marbles is an excellent example of this production. For a table supplied by John Woodley of St Marychurch, Devon, circa 1844, see that sold Sotheby's London, 13 April 2011, lot 301. A further table, previously thought to be Italian but probably from the same Devon workshop, was acquired by William Courtenay, 10th Earl of Devon and sold Sotheby's London, Two Noble Collections, Powderham Castle and Seaton Delaval Hall, 29 September 2009, lot 51. A related table is also at the Nostell Priory, West Yorkshire (National Trust 959301)