A Regency brass inlaid 'Boulle' rosewood centre table early 19th century, attributed to Louis le Gaigneur

the rectangular top inlaid with specimen volcanic marbles, the legs inlaid with brass in premier and contre partie

This unusual and striking table is in very good condition. Some old marks and scratches consistent with age and use. Brass edge around top slightly dented in places.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The cabinet-maker and upholder Louis Le Gaigneur established his Buhl Manufactory at 19 Queen Street, Edgware Road circa 1815 and specialised in brass inlaid furniture in the then newly revived Louis Quatorze style. His clients included such fashionable figures as the Prince Regent and the 3rd Marquess of Hertford, and library tables bearing Le Gaigneur`s signature remain at Windsor Castle and the Wallace Collection. The present table typifies his work.

The form of the top of the present table closely relates to an Italian volcanic specimen marble presentation panel in a walnut case with a provenance of Sir William Hamilton, British Ambassador to the Court of Naples, which was sold Christie`s New York, The C. Ruxton and Audrey B. Love Collection: Important European Furniture and Asian Works of Art, 20th October 2004, lot 516, $77, 675 incl. premium.

Objects from the Hamilton collection were sold designated `The Property of Sir William Hamilton, K.B. and the Rt. Hon. Lord Viscount Nelson' at Christie`s London, 8th June 1809 and included as lot 103 a slab of volcanic specimens described as `A fine slab, composed of various specimens of lava, inlaid, on a stand' and it is possible to speculate that this top might be the top of the present lot.

Hamilton, seventh son of the 3rd Duke of Hamilton and Lady Jane Hamilton, daughter of the 6th Earl of Hamilton. After serving as Member of Parliament for Midhurst from 1761,  left his seat to become Britain's ambassador to the court of Naples from 1764 to 1800 because the climate would help his wife`s health . During this time he studied local volcanic activity and earthquakes, and wrote a book on the ancient Roman city of Pompeii. He is best known for his collection of Greek vases which was catalogued by Baron d`Hancarville and published in Antiquités Etrusques, Greques et Romaines tirées du Cabinet de M. Hamilton envoyé extraordinaire et plénipotentaire de S.M. Britannique en Cour de Naples in 1776 in four volumes and other antiquities, selling part of his collection to the British Museum in 1772. A small part of his second collection went down with HMS Colossus while being transported to Britain in 1798. The surviving part of the second collection was catalogued for sale at auction at Christie's when at the eleventh hour Thomas Hope stepped in and purchased the remains of Hamilton's second collection of mostly South Italian vases. He was a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and a member of the Society of Dilettanti. His other books include Antiquités étrusques, grecques et romaines (1766–67) and Observations on Mount Vesuvius (1772).

He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1766 and published his paper "Campi Phlegraei: Observations on the Volcanoes of the Two Sicilies" in the same year. He made more than 65 ascents of Mount Vesuvius and made a number of drawings before its eruption in 1767. The Royal Society awarded him the Copley Medal in 1770 for his paper, "An Account of a Journey to Mount Etna".

Hamilton met many distinguished visitors including the young Mozart and his father during their tour of Italy in 1770. In 1782 he was asked to conduct the future Tsar Paul and his wife up Mount Vesuvius by the King of Naples.   

Hamilton became a Knight of the Order of the Bath in 1772 and was sworn of the Privy Council in 1791. He died in London in 1803.