W.R. Harvey & Co. (Antiques) Ltd has dated this Georgian Mahogany Reading Table to the 18th Century.
A George II mahogany adjustable double reading table/stand, second quarter of the 18th century, the rectangular top with twin adjustable ratchet sloping surfaces with articulated book ledges, above a turned column with a ratcheted brass action to adjust the height, the frieze with a pair of articulated brass candle holders to one side and a single full width and depth drawer retaining the original brass handle, backplate and lock to the other, the whole raised on tripod cabriole supports,
Attribution: An almost identical table is illustrated on a trade advertisement card issued by Thomas Potter who had premises in High Holborn in London in 1737, and may well be the same person who is recorded as the partner of John Kelsey and who supplied furniture to Sir Richard Colt Hoare for Barn Elms House London in 1738.
Table Height:31½”,(80cm) rising up to 42”,(107cm) Width: 26½”,(67cm), Depth: 20 ½”,(52cm)
Lit: “English Furniture of the 18th. Century”, Herbert Cescinsky, Vol II pp:203, 207, 219, Fig: 202, 208 226
“Early Georgian Furniture 1715-1740”, Adam Bowett, pp:247-251, Fig: 5.91 + 5.93
“Dictionary of English Furniture” Ralph Edwards, pp: 186-187, Fig: 7
“Furniture at Temple Newsam House & Lotherton Hall”, Christopher Gilbert, pp: 827-828, Trade card for Thomas Potter etc. See also recently acquired tripod writing table now at Temple Newsam and attributed to Thomas Potter.
NB: In contemporary literature, these are often referred to as architect’s tables, artist’s tables and reading tables, and it is often difficult to know what exact use they were given to, but we think that they were most likely a gentleman’s library piece rather than professional architect’s tables.
Literature:
Bowett, A. (2009). Early Georgian Furniture 1715-1740. Woodbridge, UK: Antique Collectors’ Club. pp 140, 141, 242, 243, 264. Plates 3:85, 5:81, 5:121.
Gilbert, C. and Murdoch, T. (1993). John Channon and brass-inlaid furniture 1730-1760. London, UK: Yale University Press. pp 19, 20, 27. Plates 11, 19 & 20.
Macquoid, P. and Edwards, R. (1983). The Dictionary of English Furniture from the Middle Ages to the Late Georgian Period, Volume III. Suffolk, UK: Baron Publishing. pp 185-187.
W.R. Harvey & Co. (Antiques) Ltd has dated this Georgian Mahogany Reading Table to the 18th Century.
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George II Mahogany adjustable double reading table/stand
