Object Description
A superb quality English early 19th century (circa 1820) ‘Boulle’ centre table in the French style and of fine proportions, in very good, original condition in the manner of Andre-Charles Boulle, possibly by Thomas Parker.
The table consists of a rectangular top with superb profusely inlaid boulle decoration of engraved brass inlaid into a red tortoiseshell ground, an intricate boulle panel to the centre with inlaid decoration of floral and foliate designs, dogs, birds and rabbits within a brass inlaid border, leading out to superb foliate boulle decoration with an ebonised border and fine quality outer ormolu moulding.
All four sides consisting of profusely inlaid boulle foliate decoration making the table freestanding, each panel having a shaped apron, the front having a secret freize drawer with hidden release button and consisting of a central panel with scrolling ormolu mount and ormolu moulding, the sides with central ormolu mask and ormolu moulding, the back being the same design as the front.
To the top of each leg the table having fine quality ormolu mounts in the form of a satyr, the elegant cabriole legs with boulle decoration and terminating with ormolu foliate and paw sabots.
Although this table is in the French style, we feel it is an English piece and certainly portrays influences of Jean Berain, Andre-Charles Boulle and the English cabinetmaker, Thomas Parker.
Thomas Parker (active between 1805-1830) was one of a small number of ‘Boulle’ craftsmen working in London in the early 19th century, he took inspiration from the French designer to the French court of Louis XIV, Jean Berain. Berain designed tapestries, furniture and decorations etc., his designs inspired the ornamentation of furniture and rooms by cabinetmakers such as Andre-Charles Boulle, many of his inlaid brass and tortoiseshell marquetry designs were inspired by the drawings of Berain and many other craftsmen throughout Europe followed Andre Boulle and used the designs of Berain as their main design source.
This table is in very good, original condition for age with minor losses, it is of stable construction and can go straight into a home or collection – pieces of this quality rarely come onto the open market, although this table dates to the early 19th century it has the appearance of an Andrew Boulle piece due to the design and quality of the craftsmanship.
Provenance: believed to have been part of the original furnishings for No: 4 Norfolk Crescent, Bath and thence by family descent.