A Fine George III Inlaid Satinwood, Sabicu and Mahogany Breakfast Table attributed to Thomas Chippendale Circa 1775

the veneered figured satinwood top with sabicu crossbanding, the frieze drawer similarly inlaid, and on mahogany legs with a platform stretcher. Restored. 

Beautiful quality, good restored condition, drop leaves warped at one time and now with routing to undersides of drop leaves, supports to leaves and sides replaced, age cracks to crossbanding of top with minor replacements to veneers, old marks and scratches, age crack to right front side of platform stretcher, on leather casters, two casters lacking leather rings.
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 elegant but simple form of this table, with its unusual use of sabicu banding and figured satinwood, combined with solid mahogany legs and lower shelf, is closely related to the simpler domestic furniture supplied by Thomas Chippendale in the mid 1770s. The overall profile of its frame can be compared with a number of tables which, although conceived in solid mahogany, were commissioned by Ninian Home from Thomas Chippendale for Paxton House, 1774-1791 (See: Christopher Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, London, 1978, pp. 268-275). As with the present table, two other forms of tables at Paxton, including a pair of artist's tables and a Pembroke table (Gilbert, op. cit., figs. 398 and 457), have the same simple brackets at the joint of the lower frame of the drawer with the legs, as does a Pembroke table at Petworth (Gilbert, op. cit., fig. 458). Another artist's table formerly at Paxton (See: Christie's, London, June 25, 1970, lot 55), also has this characteristic and appears to have the same drop-ring handles as on the present lot. An unusual feature of the construction of the piece is the unusual chamfered edges of the solid gallery.  

 

Although now commonly described as satinwood, similar veneer to that found on the present table is seen on other pieces of furniture supplied by Chippendale, the timber being variously described as satinwood, yellow and Guadalupe wood, the latter being described by Gilbert, op. cit., as 'a glamorous amber-colored timber'. Its style and satinwood veneers are closely related to a Pembroke table which is inscribed in contemporary hand on the lining of the drawer, Lady Dundas, sold in these rooms, October 26, 2002, lot 1918. Lady Dundas was probably the wife of Sir Lawrence Dundas who is recorded as a client of Chippendale and Rannie, 1763 to 1766.