Description:

A RARE PAIR OF FINE GEORGE IV ROSEWOOD TRIPOD TABLES ATTRIBUTED TO GILLOWS
Circa 1830

Each with a circular tray top with a carved edge of C scrolls raised on a turned and reeded pedestal with a base carved with lotus leaves and a carved knop below, the outswept feet each carved with anthemia to the knee and a scrolling lotus leaf to the toe with a chamfered pad beneath
Each 72cm high, 44.5cm diameter

OTHER NOTES:
A pair of fine small tripod tables of a type for which a design dated 1822 appears in Gillows' Estimate Sketch Book and which the firm made in variant forms through the 1820s and early 1830s. Often described as 'flower stands' or 'flower tables', these are characterised by their variously shaped tops with carved or moulded raised edges, interestingly articulated stems, and finely carved feet, often with the ringed anthemia seen on the present pair, in this case accompanied by Gillows' classic reeded stem and lotus leaf lappets to the stem and toes . As with much of the firm's output in this period, these tables were often not marked with the firm's name (see Susan Stuart, Gillows of Lancaster and London 1730-1840 (2008), vol. II, pp 97-98 and fig. 644, illustrating a pair without Gillows' mark).

  • Condition: Table 1: There are three fine shrinkage cracks across the top, not carrying through the depth of the top (slight enough that they would likely be polished over if the table was sympathetically repolished). At the very base of the stem, one of the three sections of beaded moulding between the feet is lacking. To the underside of the stem a three-way metal brace has been fitted to reinforce the joints between the stem and feet (which are firm, with no movement), beyond which there is one screw hole to each foot, presumably left by the removal of a previous longer brace.

    Table 2: There is a shrinkage crack extending about two-thirds across the top. To the upper side of the top the crack is covered for most of its length with a tapering slender piece of rosewood veneer, well matched to the surrounding wood, beyond which the crack becomes finer and peters out. (This sliver of veneer has become unstuck at its outer end, requiring regluing here.) The crack is slightly open through the moulded edge of the table to and more so to the underside, where it has been tied together with a butterfly key. The is no movement around the crack. At the base of stem all three sections of the beaded moulding between the feet are lacking. The underside of the stem and feet are braced as on the other table, and with the same residual screw holes. To the underside of one foot, the chamfered pad on which all the feet sit has been built up with a further pad of about the same depth again (about 6mm), presumably because the table was otherwise not quite level.

    Both tables have been refinished at some point. To the tops this appears to have been done with a French polishing technique, reasonably sympathetically, but on the stems and feet it appears that the shellac varnish has been brushed on, a little too thickly.


    The opinions expressed in the condition reports are a guide only and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Prospective buyers are encouraged to seek further information or request additional images during our pre-sale period where Leonard Joel staff are available for advice. Please note condition reports can be amended during the pre-sale period, so we strongly suggest any interested bidders check the published condition report available on the website before the auction commences. Leonard Joel makes no guarantee of the originality of mechanical or applied components. Absence of reference to such modifications does not imply that a lot is free from modifications.

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Hawthorn, Australia

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