A fine George III mahogany library table attributed to Thomas Chippendale circa 1775

the front with a central frieze drawer flanked by two short drawers above two pedestals; the left pedestal with a cupboard door opening to three graduated drawers; the right pedestal fitted with a cupboard door opening to folio slides; the reverse with a concave-fronted dummy drawer flanked by two short drawers above a pair of pedestals; the left pedestal fitted with a cupboard door opening to three graduated drawers; the right pedestal fitted with a cupboard door opening to adjustable shelves.

Apter-Fredericks

Overall good restored condition; the later leather lined top showing lines of construction and with minor wear and lifting in places; the cross-banding with some patches; cock-beaded edge to left side of one short drawer of frieze lacking; minor age cracks to the frieze; the central frieze drawer formerly fitted with a slide; paneled cupboard doors with age cracks snow with infilling and subsequent tearing to veneers; the interior sides of the folio slide drawer with strips to shelf channels probably modified at time of manufacture; the folio slides probably are contemporary with manufacture; two roundels to one pedestal replaced and with patches to veneer of bottom right corner; two other cupboard doors each with a replaced roundel; the underside with some later blocks possibly originally fitted with castors; overall with minor chips and patches to veneers and with 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.

Thomas Chippendale's design for a 'Library Table' in The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director, 1762, pl. LXXVII, is described as having 'Doors on both Sides, with upright Partitions for Books and Drawers on the other Side within the Doors.'  Of similar outline, the present library table also has doors on both sides and drawers and mahogany and oak partitions for folios on the other side; see Christie's, London, Dumfries House, July 12, 2007, lot 30, for a related example.  The attribution to Thomas Chippendale (1718-1779) of this library table is based on a number of factors including the construction, workmanship and design. Made of both solid mahogany and mahogany veneers on a pine and oak carcase, the timbers used are of fine quality and density, the solid mahogany relating in its use to that on documented Chippendale furniture.  The matched highly figured flame-veneered panels, although not uncommon at this period, are also found on Chippendale's work, particularly when enclosed within closely matched mahogany cross-banding. The reeded moldings and concave corners mounted with roundels to the doors are found in Chippendale's Director of 1762, pl. LXXXVII for 'Two Bookcases' and pl. CVII for 'A Desk & Bookcase'.  The handles (with different backplates) are found on a commode supplied in 1770 to Daniel Lascelles at Goldsborough Hall, Yorkshire, see C. Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, 1978, vol. II, p147, fig. 270, the handle pattern also illustrated in T. Crum, An Eighteenth Century English Brass Hardware Catalogue, p. 46.

Furthermore, there is a light red wash to the undersides of the pedestals, which were once fitted with 'triple wheel' friction rollers (similar to those found on the Harewood House library table; see C. Gilbert, op. cit.,p. 147, fig. 266), characteristics of Chippendale's production.  The rollers have been removed from the center of the cross braces to the underside but were placed in the same position as those on a library table attributed to Chippendale that was sold in these rooms, HSBC's Corporate Art Collection, October 21, 2004, lot 31.