An early Victorian walnut and marquetry centre table circa 1850 attributed to Henry Eyles of Bath

the burr walnut octagonal top inlaid with mother of pearl, crossbanded in elm and walnut, inlaid with birds, flowers, butterflies and foliage, the edges and frieze carved with c-scrolls and foliate motifs, on a tri-partite base with three addorsed dolphins and scroll feet

Good overall condition. Characteristic wear to engraving to top marquetry. Some age cracks to dolphins and some staining in the region of some of the cracks possibly indicating some restoration . However these are only visible on very close inspection. Paint splashes to the back of one of the dolphin supports a nd one foot. Very minor age cracks to plinth. Indistinct signature to one side of one of the bearers. Minor old marks and scratches throughout consistent with age. Very good colour and patina. A lovely table.
"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."

This table is very close to the oeuvre of the Bath cabinet-maker, Henry Eyles. Eyles is best known for the several pieces which he exhibited at the Great Exhibition in 1851. Two walnut chairs with porcelain plaques of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as well as the celebrated "Star of Brunswick" table now in the British Galleries at the Victoria and Albert Museum were among furniture by Eyles to appear in the Crystal Palace (illustrated, Edward Joy, English Furniture 1800-1851, Sotheby Parke Bernet Publications, London,1977, p.155, and E. Aslin, 19th Century English Furniture, London, 1962, col. pl. A., and pl. 9.). The "Star of Brunswick" table, centred by a painted and gilt star in Worcester porcelain has marked similarities with the present lot. It rests on four carved stylised dolphin supports and although of octagonal form the border is carved in a similar manner.

Not a great deal is known about Henry Eyles. A chairmaker by the name of  T.G. Eyles is recorded as supplying chairs to the Bath Assembly Rooms in around 1771 and it may be that he was related to the Victorian cabinet-maker. George Eyles, a woodcarver of Claverton Street in Bath, was known to have been related to Henry and probably carried out the carving on the "Star of Brunswick " table; he may well have carved this table too.

A similar table attributed to Eyles was sold by Lyon and Turnbull, Edinburgh, 27 January 2006, lot 257.  Another closely related table was sold by Christies, London, 9 July 1992, lot 128.