Chippendale period mahogany marble top side table

Stock Code: 2050 - SOLD

Description: A fine George III Chippendale period mahogany serving table. The rectangular Portor marble, of dark colour with yellow and light grey veins running throughout. The base with excellent original colour & patina, with geometric fretwork frieze, with central carved leaf motif. The table is supported by square section chamfered legs with more blind fretwork running down the two outside surfaces, and terminating in splayed guttae feet. Between the frieze and leg on three sides of the table an applied moulded and carved fretwork C-scroll.

Further Information: This design and use of blind fretwork in this manner conforms to many illustrations in Thomas Chippendale's - 'The Gentleman & Cabinet Maker's Director'. The table offered here may not be by Chippendale's own workshop, but conforms closely to other Chippendale designs made by well regarded cabinet makers of the period, for example Wright and Elwick of Wakefield.

Portor is a relatively rare marble quarried in Italy and in Corsica. It is found in France, but very sparingly. A dark black colour scattered with yellow grooves. The most beautiful Portor is dark black with deep yellow veins, like golden flames. Its name most likely comes from the town of Porto Venere on the Genoese coast where Louis XIV exploited quarries for the decoration of Versailles. Used in the 17th, 18th and until the 20th century for beautiful furniture, objets d'art and fireplace mantels.

Condition: Excellent. Cleaning waxing, minor restorations of fretwork frieze. The marble top possibly 19th century, the C-scrolls are replaced.

Country of Origin: England

Origin/Age: English, George II, circa 1755.

Provenance: Latterly from a private collection New York state, USA. Believed to have been supplied through the London trade in the late 60?s or early 70?s.

Dimensions: Height 32.00 inches (81.28cm) Width 52.00 inches (132.08cm) Depth 25.00 inches (63.50cm)

Price: £22,950