Object Description
A Fine Regency Period pollard oak Library or Writing Table, Scottish and Attributed to William Trotter of Edinburgh
This fine table is veneered throughout in pollard ok with contrasting ebonised decoration in the high regency taste. The two drawers in the frieze with ebonised cockbeading and an ebonised moulding on the lower apron. The top with inlaid ebony stringing. The tapering square-sectioned column support with further ebonised detailing leading to a quadripartite platform base with inverted scroll feet with applied roundels or paterae with ebonised centres.
This table shares features in common with a circular games table illustrated in Bamford’s A Dictionary of Edinburgh Wrights and Furniture Makers, 1660-1840, plate 72, made for the Marquess of Tweedale at Yester House and sold at Christie’s on the 24th of October 2006.
In addition.
the particularly distinctive form of the column support on the present table relates directly to a number of pieces previously sold which have been attributed to William Trotter, such as a games or supper table sold by Lyon and Turnbull on the 12th of August 2020, lot 5, and a side table sold by the same auctioneers on the 16th of August 2017, lot 173. The highly unusual and attractive style of scrolled foot with central roundels or paterae has been noted on several interesting examples of regency furniture sold over the years and is obviously directly comparable with the Yester table, the latter piece having additional palmette decoration but otherwise following essentially the same pattern. The present table is beautifully made and finely finished to the exacting standards expected of pieces from one of the leading Scottish workshops of the late regency period.
This is a lovely table that could be used as a library table, centre table or a side table as required, giving any interior scheme that extra touch of class and sophistication.