George III Chippendale Spider Leg Table

Object Description

A rare 18th century George III Chippendale period mahogany ‘Spider Leg’ side table, attributed to ‘The Dumfries House Cabinet-Maker’.

English or Scottish, circa 1770.

Why we like it
We love the elegant simplicity of this table, the unusual thinness of its components, which lend this design a very delicate look. It boasts a rich history too, manifested in multiple signs of its age and intense use. It is miraculous how it has survived 250 years of use, given the highly fragile nature of its design.

Object History

A number of closely related side tables in mahogany, attributed to ‘The Dumfries House Cabinet-Maker’, possibly Thomas Chippendale, was supplied circa 1760 to Lord Dumfries at Dumfries House, Scotland. A further related table, distinguished by the superb quality of construction, is at Fenton House (NT 1448858).

Object Literature

Thomas Chippendale supplied ‘Two neat Mahogany Spider leg Tables of good wood’ to Sir Edwin Knatchbull for Mersham-le-Hatch in 1768. A further related table at The Vyne, Hampshire was described in the 1776 inventory as a ‘spider leg’ table.

R. Edwards, The Shorter Dictionary of English Furniture, London, 1964, p. 553, figs 18 & 19;
Christopher Gilbert, Furniture at Temple Newsam House and Lotherton Hall, Vol II, p. 366;
Christie’s London, 9 August 2011 lot 222.

Object Condition

Good original antique condition, minor restorations, period handles

Object Details