A Victorian burr walnut centre table circa 1865, in the manner of Holland & Sons

with applied gilt-metal mounts, the octagonal top crossbanded with sycamore and tulipwood, raised on four slender columns around a central column, on a concave sided platform and gilt heightened sabre legs

Generally in good condition. The top is slightly faded and could benefit from a light repolishing. The central column has some minor losses to the veneers and some slight old worm damage. The gilding to the feet is painted and probably later. Minor old marks and scratches. A fine quality and attractive piece. 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."

The firm of Holland & Sons first appeared in 1803 as Taprell, Stephen and Holland. The partnership then became Taprell, Holland and Son between 1835 and 1843 when it finally became Holland & Sons. William Holland, who took over as senior partner in 1843 was almost certainly related to the architect Henry Holland. The relationship between builder and cabinet-maker is paralleled by another leading Victorian firm, Trollope and Sons. Their earliest known commission was to furnish the Athenaeum, 1824- 1838. They also worked alongside the firm of Thomas Dowbiggin at Osborne House and eventually took over their premises and business at 23 Mount Street in 1851 and 1853 respectively.

Holland & Sons were the quintessential firm of Victorian cabinet-makers and their style developed over the period between 1851 and 1870, which saw many changes to the furniture making in this country.  These changes were stimulated by the series of international exhibitions commencing here in London with the so called Great Exhibition in the Crystal Palace and those that took place in Paris in 1856, 1867, 1878 and 1889 and again in London in 1862. Holland exhibited at all of these exhibitions, including a cabinet designed by Gottfried Semper in 1855 and a very fine centre table which relates to the offered lot. This table is recorded in the Holland & Sons account book preserved in the national archive of art and design at Blythe House. It was illustrated as chromolithograph plate 40 in John Burney Waring`s `Masterpieces of Industrial Art and Sculpture 1862'.

The form of the supports to the top, the leaf-cast collars and the form of the feet on the present example all relate to an example sold by Sotheby`s on 11 February 2003 and known to be by Holland and suggest that the present table could also be by this firm.  The present table is also typical of the somewhat muted French style popular at the time in England and can be said to be related to the suite of furniture commissioned by Mr R.N.Thornton for Knowle Cottage, Sidmouth, Devon in 1868 and illustrated by R.W. Symonds and B.B. Whineray in `Victorian Furniture', Country Life 1962, pl. 203-206.

A further example sold Christie`s, London, 21 November 1985, lot 94