A George III mahogany urn stand circa 1760

with a pierced, fretwork gallery above a pull-out slide and a scroll-carved apron, the ring-turned and square multi-columnar supports with paterae-carved square sections joined by an X shaped stretcher, on leather and brass castors, the underside bearing the printed label `The Property of the Right Hon. THE COUNTESS OF SOUTHESK, and were formerly the late PRINCESS ROYAL''; the fretwork gallery possibly replaced

H.R.H. Princess Louise, eldest daughter of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, given to her upon her marriage to 1st Duke of Fife in 1889.

Thence by descent to her daughter, Princess Maud Alexandra, Countess of Southesk who married 11th Earl Southesk of Kinnaird Castle, Brechin, Angus.

Thence by descent to their son, James Carnegie, 3rd Duke of Fife.

The catalogue illustration is a fair representation of colour and tone. The top has a reddish coloured mahogany. Good overall condition. Minor old repairs at junction of joints of X stretchers with upright cluster column supports. Veneer patch to top which has been grained to match. Small infilled patch and integral cracking along grain of veneer. Gallery possibly replaced. 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."

This stand is similar in form to one formerly in the collection of Mr. F. Behrens, and illustrated in R. Edwards, The Dictionary of English Furniture, 1954, rev. ed., vol. III, p. 156, fig. 2. Another similar example is illustrated in Oliver Brackett, English Furniture Illustrated, 1950, pl. CLXVII, P.195, with a provenance of the Thursby-Pelham Collection.