What characterises George III painted satinwood furniture?

Originating in late 18th-century England, George III satinwood furniture is defined by light-toned timber, Neoclassical symmetry, and hand-painted decorations such as floral swags and classical vignettes influenced by designers like Thomas Sheraton and George Hepplewhite.

What materials were traditionally used to make 18th-century console tables?

Tables from this period typically feature satinwood or mahogany veneers applied over pine or oak frames, often accompanied by hand-carved giltwood bases, polychrome paintwork, and fine brass mountings.

How can an authentic George III console table be identified?

Authentic pieces display historical wood oxidisation, hand-cut joinery, secondary timber wear on undersides or drawers, and fine hand-painted detail that exhibits subtle aged craquelure rather than modern uniform printing.

How can a demi-lune console table be styled in a modern interior?

A demi-lune console table works effectively positioned flush against a wall in an entrance hall or corridor, topped with decorative ceramics or framed by wall sconces to highlight its curved architectural profile.

How should gilded and painted satinwood furniture be maintained?

Preserve delicate gilded and hand-painted surfaces by dusting softly with a dry microfibre cloth, keeping the table out of direct sunlight, and maintaining stable humidity to prevent veneer lifting or paint flaking.

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Antique George III Satin Wood Painted Demi-lune Console Table 18th C

Name: Antique George III Satin Wood Painted Demi-lune Console Table 18th C
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1158565
Price: 4850 GBP
Availability: InStock

18th century

For Sale by Regent Antiques

Description

This is a beautiful antique George III satin wood hand-painted and parcel gilt wood breakfront console table, circa 1780 in date.

The console is of Sheraton design, the crossbanded top features a border of trailing foliage and flowers and it has a charming central oval painted vignette of figures making music, painted in the manner of Angelica Kauffman.

The console has a decorative carved floral lunette frieze and is raised on four legs with stunning wreath and acanthus carved decoration. The legs are united by an under tier centred with a painted musical and floral trophy. The legs terminate in toupee feet.

The quality and attention to detail throughout is second to none.

Provenance:

A Private Collection, Staffordshire

Condition:

In excellent condition having only been beautifully cleaned and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 81 cm x Width 104 cm x Depth 43 cm

Dimensions in inches:

Height 2 foot, 8 inches x Width 3 foot, 5 inches x Depth 1 foot, 5 inches

Satin wood

is a hard and durable wood with a satinlike sheen, much used in cabinetmaking, especially in marquetry. It comes from two tropical trees of the family Rutaceae (rue family). East Indian or Ceylon satin wood is the yellowish or dark-brown heartwood of Chloroxylon swietenia.

The lustrous, fine-grained, usually figured wood is used for furniture, cabinetwork, veneers, and backs of brushes. West Indian satin wood, sometimes called yellow wood, is considered superior. It is the golden yellow, lustrous, even-grained wood found in the Florida Keys and the West Indies.

It has long been valued for furniture. It is also used for musical instruments, veneers, and other purposes. Satin wood is classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Sapindales, family Rutaceae.

Angelica Kauffman, RA (1741 - 1807)

was a Swiss-born Austrian Neoclassical painter who had a successful career in London and Rome. Though born as "Kauffmann", Kauffman is the preferred spelling of her name in English; it is the form she herself used most in signing her correspondence, documents and paintings.

While Kauffman produced many types of art, she identified herself primarily as a history painter, an unusual designation for a woman artist in the 18th century. History painting, was considered the most elite and lucrative category in academic painting during this time period. Under the direction of Sir Joshua Reynolds, the Royal Academy made a strong effort to promote history painting to a native audience who were more interested in commissioning and buying portraits and landscapes.

Despite the popularity that Kauffman enjoyed in British society and her success as an artist, she was disappointed by the relative apathy that the British had towards history painting. Ultimately she left Britain for the continent, where history painting was better established, held in higher esteem and patronized.

The works of Angelica Kauffman have retained their reputation. By 1911, rooms decorated with her work were still to be seen in various quarters. At Hampton Court was a portrait of the duchess of Brunswick; in the National Portrait Gallery, a self-portrait. There were other pictures by her at Paris, at Dresden, in the Hermitage at St Petersburg, in the Alte Pinakothek atMunich, in Kadriorg Palace, Tallinn (Estonia).

Thomas Sheraton

(1751 - 1806) was an English cabinetmaker and one of the leading exponents of Neoclassicism. Sheraton gave his name to a style of furniture characterised by a feminine refinement of late Georgian styles and became the most powerful source of inspiration behind the furniture of the late 18th century. His four-part Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterers’ Drawing Book greatly influenced English and American design.

Sheraton was apprenticed to a cabinetmaker, but he became bett

Physical Dimensions

Height

81cm (31.89")

Width

104cm (40.94")

Depth

43cm (16.93")

Declaration

Regent Antiques has dated this George III Console Table to the 1700s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1158565

Dealers Internal Reference

A4612

Description

This is a beautiful antique George III satin wood hand-painted and parcel gilt wood breakfront console table, circa 1780 in date.

The console is of Sheraton design, the crossbanded top features a border of trailing foliage and flowers and it has a charming central oval painted vignette of figures making music, painted in the manner of Angelica Kauffman.

“

The console has a decorative carved floral lunette frieze and is raised on four legs with stunning wreath and acanthus carved decoration.

Regent Antiques

The legs are united by an under tier centred with a painted musical and floral trophy. The legs terminate in toupee feet.

fig 1. A George III painted satinwood demi-lune console table featuring a curved top with central painted vignette and a carved fluted giltwood apron on turned legs. — fig 1. Antique George III Satin Wood Painted Demi-lune Console Table 18th C

The quality and attention to detail throughout is second to none.

Provenance:

A Private Collection, Staffordshire

Condition:

In excellent condition having only been beautifully cleaned and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.

fig 2. A George III painted satinwood demi-lune console table featuring a curved top with central painted vignette and a carved fluted giltwood apron on turned legs. — fig 2. Antique George III Satin Wood Painted Demi-lune Console Table 18th C

Dimensions in cm:

Height 81 cm x Width 104 cm x Depth 43 cm

Dimensions in inches:

Height 2 foot, 8 inches x Width 3 foot, 5 inches x Depth 1 foot, 5 inches

Satin wood

is a hard and durable wood with a satinlike sheen, much used in cabinetmaking, especially in marquetry. It comes from two tropical trees of the family Rutaceae (rue family). East Indian or Ceylon satin wood is the yellowish or dark-brown heartwood of Chloroxylon swietenia.

The lustrous, fine-grained, usually figured wood is used for furniture, cabinetwork, veneers, and backs of brushes. West Indian satin wood, sometimes called yellow wood, is considered superior. It is the golden yellow, lustrous, even-grained wood found in the Florida Keys and the West Indies.

fig 4. A George III painted satinwood demi-lune console table featuring a curved top with central painted vignette and a carved fluted giltwood apron on turned legs. — fig 4. Antique George III Satin Wood Painted Demi-lune Console Table 18th C

It has long been valued for furniture. It is also used for musical instruments, veneers, and other purposes. Satin wood is classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Sapindales, family Rutaceae.

fig 5. A George III painted satinwood demi-lune console table featuring a curved top with central painted vignette and a carved fluted giltwood apron on turned legs. — fig 5. Antique George III Satin Wood Painted Demi-lune Console Table 18th C

Angelica Kauffman, RA (1741 - 1807)

was a Swiss-born Austrian Neoclassical painter who had a successful career in London and Rome. Though born as "Kauffmann", Kauffman is the preferred spelling of her name in English; it is the form she herself used most in signing her correspondence, documents and paintings.

fig 6. A George III painted satinwood demi-lune console table featuring a curved top with central painted vignette and a carved fluted giltwood apron on turned legs. — fig 6. Antique George III Satin Wood Painted Demi-lune Console Table 18th C

While Kauffman produced many types of art, she identified herself primarily as a history painter, an unusual designation for a woman artist in the 18th century. History painting, was considered the most elite and lucrative category in academic painting during this time period. Under the direction of Sir Joshua Reynolds, the Royal Academy made a strong effort to promote history painting to a native audience who were more interested in commissioning and buying portraits and landscapes.

fig 7. A George III painted satinwood demi-lune console table featuring a curved top with central painted vignette and a carved fluted giltwood apron on turned legs. — fig 7. Antique George III Satin Wood Painted Demi-lune Console Table 18th C

Despite the popularity that Kauffman enjoyed in British society and her success as an artist, she was disappointed by the relative apathy that the British had towards history painting. Ultimately she left Britain for the continent, where history painting was better established, held in higher esteem and patronized.

fig 8. A George III painted satinwood demi-lune console table featuring a curved top with central painted vignette and a carved fluted giltwood apron on turned legs. — fig 8. Antique George III Satin Wood Painted Demi-lune Console Table 18th C

The works of Angelica Kauffman have retained their reputation. By 1911, rooms decorated with her work were still to be seen in various quarters. At Hampton Court was a portrait of the duchess of Brunswick; in the National Portrait Gallery, a self-portrait. There were other pictures by her at Paris, at Dresden, in the Hermitage at St Petersburg, in the Alte Pinakothek atMunich, in Kadriorg Palace, Tallinn (Estonia).

fig 9. A George III painted satinwood demi-lune console table featuring a curved top with central painted vignette and a carved fluted giltwood apron on turned legs. — fig 9. Antique George III Satin Wood Painted Demi-lune Console Table 18th C

Thomas Sheraton

(1751 - 1806) was an English cabinetmaker and one of the leading exponents of Neoclassicism. Sheraton gave his name to a style of furniture characterised by a feminine refinement of late Georgian styles and became the most powerful source of inspiration behind the furniture of the late 18th century. His four-part Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterers’ Drawing Book greatly influenced English and American design.

Sheraton was apprenticed to a cabinetmaker, but he became bett