An early George III carved mahogany `concertina-action' tea table circa 1760

the serpentine fold-over top with matched figured veneers within crossbanding, the edge carved with an acanthus-entwined moulding, the inside of the top with figured veneers and broad crossbanding, the central frieze with a stylised shell medallion flanked by acanthus scrolls with a beaded moulding beneath, the four reeded cylindrical supports with conforming entwined acanthus-leaf carving and pierced angle brackets, on octagonal block feet headed by carved foliate collars, the hinges to concertina action stamped `H. Tibats'

The Howe Hicks family, Witcombe Park, Gloucestershire.
Thence by descent to the Hicks Beach family.

Related Literature:

A Coleridge, Chippendale Furniture, London, 1968, p. 93.
C. Gilbert, The Life and Works of Thomas Chippendale, London, 1978, vol. II,  p. 13, figs. J  and K, and pp. 22-27, figs. 40-44.

Good overall condition. The top with some old ring stains and water marks. A small lozenge shaped patch approximately 3/4 in. wide to the left side of the top and a further smaller better matched patch adjacent. Slight integral shrinkage crack to front corners of the top. A two-inch patch to the crossbanding on the central back edge of the top adjacent to the `tongue' and mortice. The inside of the top with a horizontal shrinkage crack to the lower surface. Further cracks and scratches. General finish to the inside of the top with high polished finish. The frieze with slight vertical cracking to veneers on front corners. Very slight horizontal cracking to the carving on the frieze. The rear right top corner of the frieze to concertina action with small triangular patch. Some slight old worm damage activity to the underside of the top. The top with a slight warp, most noticeable when open where the hinged top is proud at the mid point of hinged edge and also when closed raised to front left corner. Back left foot with minor chip to underside. The concertina frieze with a dry, unpolised surface and slightly stiff. Overall bearing good colour and extremely well carved. For further information on this Lot, please contact the English Furniture Department on 00 44 (0) 207 293-5470.
"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."

Elements in the design of the present table are based on an engraving for a tester bed published in Thomas Chippendale's Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director, 1762, 3rd ed. pl. XXXIX which shares the same distinctive foliate bound reeded columns to its front supports and related cartouche motif to the cornice. A bed based on this design was supplied by Chippendale to William 5th Earl of Dumfries in 1759 for Dumfries House, Scotland and represented the most costly item recorded in this celebrated commission, totalling £90-16-1d including hangings, and upholstery. The  cartouche together with acanthus foliage is further paralleled in Chippendale's drawings for two tables dated 1760, pl. CXVI and 1761, pl. CXXII (see Gilbert op. cit. p. 13). Another instance of his use of this motif  on an overmantel is published in the 1762 edition of the Director, pl. CLXXXIII.

The stamp H. Tibats is almost certainly that of Hugh Tibats who is recorded in Pearson and Rollaston's Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley, Bilston and Willenhall Directory, 1781, as a `hinge and sash fastening maker, Bell St.'  Hinges bearing this stamp are found on a significant group of furniture by leading makers, dating from the mid-18th century including a pair of card tables supplied by Thomas Chippendale for the 5th Earl of Dumfries at Dumfries House, Scotland in 1759.