A truly rare and magnificent George III Period Mahogany and Marquetry Inlaid Dressing Table, the elaborately inlaid Flame Mahogany Rectangular Top with crossbanded edge above three drawers, the centre drawer fitted for writing and with a baize lined slide, the two flanking drawers opening to show fitted interiors with lidded boxes and infinitely adjustable mirrors, all the drawers crossbanded, the frieze with a band of marquetry raised on four fluted legs terminating in spade feet and having inlaid flowersCa. 1775 Height: 33.5�, 86 cms. Width: 45.5�, 116 cms. Depth: 28.5�, 73 cms.This model of table is both illustrated and described as �Rudd�s Table� in George Hepplewhite''s ''The Cabinetmaker and Upholsterers Guide�. Thomas Shearer also published his version of the design which was carried in the ''Cabinet-Makers'' London Book of Prices'' and also described as �Rudd�s Table�. For both to have carried this description of the table means that the original, which this could be, was made recently enough to have been in their memories and for the Rudd Scandal to still have impacted on society throughout the 1780s. It appears the original table was made for Margaret Caroline Rudd, an infamous forger and fraudster who left a trail of broken men behind her. This included the twins, Daniel and Robert Perreau who stood trial with her for forgery and were found guilty and hanged in 1775 though she used her undoubted charms to secure a not guilty verdict for herself. This Georgian Scandal rocked the very pillars of the establishment including George III, John Wilkes, Lord Mansfield and many others. How did Hepplewhite and Shearer know what her dressing table looked like?In the meantime we are indebted to George Hepplewhite whose widow, Alice, published a book of his designs for furniture two years after his 1786 death. ''The Cabinetmaker and Upholsterers ...