Object Description
No:11172
A very rare George II Period Mahogany Tripod Writing Table, the divided rectangular top with a moulded edge and centre lock with heart shaped escutcheon, opening to reveal a compartmented interior and writing surface covered in blue leather above a long slide to the frieze, a short frieze drawer to one side, raised on a stop-fluted column and cabriole legs ending in carved ball and claw feet with brass castors
Circa1755 Price :£ 6,950-00p.
Height:30”,76 cms, Width:26 ¾”, 68 cms, Depth: 21 ½”, 55 cms.
Note: The quality and detail of this piece are exceptional from the ingenious pull-out writing slide which supports the top when open to the wonderful fluted and stop fluted column and the fabulously carved ball and claw feet. The heart shaped escutcheon to the top suggests that either this was commissioned by a wealthy patron for his wife or lover or that the maker intended it for his wife.
Lit: “English Furniture of the 18th. Century”, Herbert Cescinsky, Vol II pp:203, 207, 219, Fig: 202, 208 226
“Early Georgian Furniture 1715-1740”, Adam Bowett, pp:247-251, Fig: 5.91 + 5.93
“Dictionary of English Furniture” Ralph Edwards, pp: 186-187, Fig: 7
“Furniture at Temple Newsam House & Lotherton Hall”, Christopher Gilbert, pp: 827-828, Trade card for Thomas Potter etc. See also recently acquired tripod writing table now at Temple Newsam and attributed to Thomas Potter.
Thomas Potter had premises in High Holborn in London in 1737, and may well be the same person who is recorded as the partner of John Kelsey and supplied furniture to Sir Richard Colt Hoare for Barn Elms House London in 1738.