An important pair of George III inlaid mahogany, goncalo alvez fruitwood marquetry demi-lune games tables circa 1790, possibly by Mayhew and Ince

Each demi-lune top centered at the back by radiating crocket-form rays within a banding of crocketed arches, the hinged top opening to a baize-lined interior, the conforming gothic-blind-fret-carved frieze raised on cluster-column legs joined with lobed collars headed by oak-leafs and ending in ball feet.

Clytha Park, Monmouthshire, Wales
Mallett, London

Very good condition; the tops with very minor warpage; baize lining replaced; one table top with a replaced small quatrefoil to the back edge; beautiful color and carving, lovely proportions and very finely made with sold mahogany tops veneered with gocalo alvez; each with original baton holes for carrying and one with some old carrying tacks to underside.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The present pair of tables was possibly part of a suite of furniture ordered in the early 1790s by William Jones for his folly Clytha Castle, Monmouthshire, Wales from the illustrious London cabinet-making firm of Mayhew and Ince.

Clytha Castle was built in the 1790s after the death of Jones’s wife in 1787 as a memorial to her.  A tablet on the house states that the building of the house 'was undertaken for the purpose of relieving a mind afflicted by the loss of a most excellent wife.’

Jones seemed to act as his own clerk of works maintaining a detailed account book of all of the costs involved with building and furnishing the castle including workmen’s wages, transport costs and building materials.  The account book also lists the various furnishings including furniture, porcelain, chintz, silk, paintings the largest sum of money being paid to Mayhew and Ince for the ‘Gothic style’ furniture for the house.

The present pair of tables is most likely by Mayhew and Ince and embody a late Gothic revival style which in some ways echo the first wave of the Gothic revival by Horace Walpole at Strawberry Hill.  The dramatic radiating Gothic crotchet starburst to the centers of the backs as well as the beautiful use of mahogany and goncalo alvez veneers, the finely carved Gothic frieze articulated with oak leaves to the tops of the cluster-column legs shows a light and refined use of Gothic features in a classicized manner.

John Nash was considered to be the architect for Clytha Castle as a payment to him appears in the account book; however it seems the house was actually designed by the local garden designer and architect John Davenport who had a numerous commissions in Wales where he made use of the Gothic style.

See:
‘Clytha Castle: A Seat to Soothe the Soul,’ Heritage Homes, November, 2008, pp. 44-52
www.landmarktrust.org.uk/our-landmarks/properties/clytha-castle