search
1/3
A WILLIAM AND MARY WALNUT WORK TABLE
england , circa 1690 - 1710
A very rare late 17th century William and Mary, early 18th century Queen Anne period walnut work table. The hinged top quarter veneered with superbly figured walnut panels, with herringbone inlay, crossbanding and a moulded edge. With pull out slides to each side, presumably for candlesticks. With a rare arrangement of drawers with brass escutcheons and pull handles. Supported on six superbly modelled faceted walnut legs ending in 'Spanish' scroll toes, all joined by a shaped stretcher.
Exceptional colour and patina throughout.
Exceptional colour and patina throughout.
Provenance
With Harrods Antiques Department, 1921
Christie's London, the collection of Mrs. A. M. Shannon Munn, 30 June 1966, lot 118
Acquired from the above by Mallett, New Bond Street (1966)
Private Collection, UK
Christie's London, the collection of Mrs. A. M. Shannon Munn, 30 June 1966, lot 118
Acquired from the above by Mallett, New Bond Street (1966)
Private Collection, UK
Stock number
U12.161
dimensions
More Details
Literature
Height: 29¹/₈ in (74 cm)
Width: 36¹/₄ in (92 cm)
Depth: 20¹/₂ in (52 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 and included some of the finest examples of late 17th century and early 18th century walnut furniture. The celebrated Parry Collection was noted for its emphasis on fine craftsmanship and proportion, unusual detail and in particular on magnficent colour and patina. Amongst the many great pieces in the Parry collection, it was this writing table, according to the introduction by Peter Holmes of Arlington Conservation at the start of the Christie's 1997 The Parry Collection catalogue, that John Parry was particularly proud of - being such a magnificent and rare survivor. Peter Holmes described it as 'a sophisticated artefact of its time, refined in detail and in excellent condition'.
The Parry table shares many features with our table not only, the overall design, 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 arguably more sophisticated scrolled feet on our table which have turned patera to each of the sides and are splayed outwards, rather than straight ahead.
The Parry Collection and the Rollason Collection were both extremely highly regarded collections and included some of the finest examples of late 17th century and early 18th century walnut furniture. The celebrated Parry Collection was noted for its emphasis on fine craftsmanship and proportion, unusual detail and in particular on magnficent colour and patina. Amongst the many great pieces in the Parry collection, it was this writing table, according to the introduction by Peter Holmes of Arlington Conservation at the start of the Christie's 1997 The Parry Collection catalogue, that John Parry was particularly proud of - being such a magnificent and rare survivor. Peter Holmes described it as 'a sophisticated artefact of its time, refined in detail and in excellent condition'.
The Parry table shares many features with our table not only, the overall design, 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 arguably more sophisticated scrolled feet on our table which have turned 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.
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.
enquire
+44 (0)20 7839 5671
+44 (0)7725 332 665
