A George III mahogany foldover top tea table, with interesting concertina action to the supporting frieze, pull out supporting slide and raised on legs of square chamfered section with fretwork spandrels. The hinge to the concertina is stamped H Tibats.
A number of mid 18th century card tables of the finest quality have ‘H.TIBATS’ stamped upon one hinge and these are more often concertina-action as with the present example. It is possible that this mark refers to Hugh Tibbats or Tibats (both versions of the spelling are documented) who is recorded as working from Bell Street, Wolverhampton as a ‘hinge and sash fastening maker’, The Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley, Bilston and Willenhall Directory, 1781.
Evidently Tibats was a notable early Georgian figure in the manufacture of everyday practical ironwork including, but not limited to, providing hinges for furniture. However, despite all of the information we have on Tibats, it is not entirely clear as to whether he was actually based in London or indeed Birmingham, P. Thornton, A Signed Hinge, Furniture History, Leeds, 1966, pp.44-5, pl. XXIII.
Good. Marks and wear consistent with age and use. Full condition report available upon request.
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