A fine George III inlaid rosewood tea table attributed to Mayhew and Ince Circa 1775

opening to a polished mahogany surface; the underside of the edge with ebonized thumb molding.  Minor restorations.

Good restored condition,minor replacements to marquetry and crossbanded edge, very minor shrinkage, the interior of top with some age cracks and with butterfly patch repair to underside, back left leg with old glue repaired break at junction with back rail support, age crack and tearing to veneers at center of frieze through central roundel, overall with some old marks, scratches, scuffs and bruises consistent with age and use.
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.

A pembroke table with almost identical marquetry from the collection of the Countess of Dysart, Ham House (possibly indicating a commission for the firm there), was sold, Sotheby's, London, April 10, 1972, lot 64; another was sold, Sotheby's, London, April 24, 1998, lot 101 (£15,000); a third one from The Price Collection, was sold, Sotheby's, London, November 22, 2000, lot 182 (£25,000). The marquetry to the frieze drawer of the table from the Price Colection appeared to retain some of the red mastic to the husk-swagged 'pearl'-encircled flowerhead used by Mayhew and Ince.

The firm of John Mayhew (1736-1811) and William Ince (d. 1804) was one of the most successful and enduring partnerships of cabinet-makers in the 18^th century. They are first recorded as partners in December 1758, advertising from an address at Broad Street in January 1759.  Earlier, Mayhew had been apprenticed to William Bradshaw, and Ince to John West, before forming a brief partnership after West's death in 1758 with Samuel Norman and James Whittle.  In 1763 they were described as 'cabinet-makers, carvers and upholders', and in 1778 'manufacturers of plate glass' appeared on their bill heading.  From the 1780s the categories of 'cabinet maker' and upholsterer predominate, reflecting the change in taste from carved to veneered and inlaid furniture, which was more fashionable.  One of their early ventures was to publish The Universal System of Household Furniture in 1762 which included eighty-nine numbered plates and six smaller ones dedicated to the 4^th Duke of Marlborough.  The relative failure of this work, which was issued in only one edition, was probably caused by the distinctly Rococo manner of the designs which was to become rapidly unfashionable in the next few years due to the rise of the Neo-Classical taste and the architect Robert Adam.  The partnership was not slow in embracing these new forms as is shown by their own work and their close involvement with Adam himself in making furniture to his own designs for many of his important clients.  Some of Mayhew and Ince's most important patrons included the Prince of Wales, the 5^th Duke of Devonshire, the 5^th Duke of Bedford and the 1^st Duke and Duchess of Northumberland.

A related pembroke table is in the Devenish Collection, Sotheby's, New York, April 24, 2008, lot 135.