Object Description
Important Charles II Olive Oyster Floral Marquetry Table
Firmly Attributed to Royal Cabinetmaker Gerrit Jensen, Circa 1680. England
This rare and exceptional 17th century Charles II period table is a masterful example of the finest marquetry craftsmanship of the late 17th century, firmly attributed to the Royal cabinet maker Gerrit Jensen (cabinetmaker to King William III and Queen Mary).
The beautifully figured olive oyster-veneered top is banded in holly and inset with exquisitely detailed floral marquetry panels, featuring an array of flowers and a finely drawn bird at the centre. The precision and fluidity of the design reflect the influence of Dutch and French marquetry masters of the period.
The cross-grain olive frieze houses a long drawer, finely lined in oak and banded in holly, divided into two reserves of free-flowing floral marquetry. The drawer retains what appear to be the original gilt-brass bifurcated scroll handles and floral backplates.
The table is raised on five superbly turned twist olive ash legs, a distinctive feature, with three positioned at the front, an exceptionally rare configuration. These elegant supports lead down to a concave cross-grain olive stretcher and rest on turned bun feet.
A Unique Example of Royal Cabinetmaking
This table is the only known example of its kind with three front legs, firmly attributed to Gerrit Jensen, making it a work of significant historical and artistic importance. Jensen, one of the foremost cabinetmakers of the Restoration period, was instrumental in introducing French-inspired designs to England, working closely with leading Huguenot craftsmen such as Pierre Golle. His furniture, supplied to St. James’s Palace, Hampton Court, and Kensington Palace, was highly sought after by the nobility, including the Dukes of Devonshire, Montagu, and Richmond.
In style, Jensen’s work closely follows the French court aesthetic, particularly the designs of Pierre Golle, who was at the forefront of floral marquetry, and the famed André Charles Boulle.
Gerrit Jensen’s legacy as ‘the English Boulle’ is well documented, and this table stands as a testament to his unparalleled craftsmanship and the cosmopolitan influences that defined late 17th-century English furniture.
This is an opportunity to acquire a museum-quality example of Charles II marquetry furniture, an exquisite piece that embodies the opulence and artistic brilliance of the period.