Object Description
A Carved Walnut Library Table
Of grand proportions, the rectangular writing table rising from substantial cabriole legs terminating in firmly carved ball & paw feet. Having a tooled leather top set within an elaborate border incorporating carved roses, shamrocks, and thistles-representing England, Ireland, and Scotland respectively- as well as candle holders underneath removable carved bosses. The whole frieze richly carved and bearing a central scallop shell, flanked by vines and bunches of grapes incorporating lozenges representing Latin books above sayings of wisdom, including ‘fons et origo’ (Source and Origin) as well as ‘verb sap’ (verbum sapienti, meaning A Word to the Wise is Enough), among others.
Circa 1850