Height: 29¹/₈ in (74 cm)
Width: 36¹/₄ in (92 cm)
Depth: 20¹/₂ in (52 cm)
An almost identical table was included in the celebrated Parry Collection, sold Christie's London, 24 April 1997, lot 260 (price achieved £69,700). Earlier provenance for this table includes The Dower House Ltd, Newbury, June 1951 and The Rollason Collection, Thence by descent to Melvyn H. Rollason Esq., sold in these Rooms, 17 November 1983, lot 62. Literature: The Eleventh Antique Dealer's Fair and Exhibition, Hand Book of Exhibitors, June 1951, illustrated p. 38, 'A rare William and Mary walnut writing-table in untouched condition. Circa 1690.' G. Beard and J. Goodison, English Furniture 1500-1840, Oxford, 1987, p. 53, fig. 4. Exhibited: London, Grosvenor House, The Eleventh Antique Dealer's Fair and Exhibition, June, 1951, by The Dower House, stand no 72.
The Parry Collection and the Rollason Collection were both extremely highly regarded collections of some of the finest examples of late 17th century and early 18th century walnut furniture.
This table shares many features with our table not only, the overall shape and size, but also details such as the double beading around the drawers, the brass key escutcheons, the waved stretcher and the candleslides. The main difference being the more sophisticated scrolled feet on our table which have patera to each of the sides and are splayed outwards, rather than straight ahead.
For the comparative example from the Parry collection:
The Eleventh Antique Dealer's Fair and Exhibition, Hand Book of Exhibitors, June 1951, illustrated p. 38, 'A rare William and Mary walnut writing-table in untouched condition. Circa 1690.'
G. Beard and J. Goodison, English Furniture 1500-1840, Oxford, 1987, p. 53, fig. 4.