A FINE AND RARE GEORGE III WAVY WENGEWOOD INLAID PEMBROKE TABLE circa 1775

the rectangular top with two flaps with re-entrant corners veneered in figured wavy-wengewood with boxwood and ebony stringing and with sabicu cross banding, and centered by an oval satinwood tablet centered by a fan patera, within a harewood husk-framed medallion, the frieze with a single drawer similarly veneered and cross banded and supported on square tapered legs edged with boxwood and beech stringing and with brass cups with leather castors.

Possibly originally commissioned by Sir John Scott, 1^st Earl of Eldon, (1751-1883), who purchased Encombe House, Dorset in 1806

Thence by descent to Colonel Harold Scott (d. 1997) at Encombe House

Sold by his executors, Christie's, London, April 19, 1999

Country Life, January 31, 1963, A. Oswald, 'Encombe Dorset - II', p. 214, fig. 2, the table shown in situ in the drawing room

Overall very good condition with a mellow waxed surface. Minor scuffs and bumps and scratches overall sommensurate with age. The undersides of both flaps have at some time been routed to counteract warping, but this does not affect the top veneer. The left front and back legs have lost elements to the line-inlaid collars above the castors.
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.

The sophisticated design of this table, with its satinwood banding and fine boxwood and ebony inlaid lines accentuating its rectangular top with its finely molded edge with concave corners, further inlaid at the center with a fan patera medallion, is completed by the use of the richly patterned wavy-wengewood veneers. It was possibly originally commissioned by John Scott, Ist Earl of Eldon (1751-1838) who gained the post of Lord High Chancellor of England in 1801, holding the position virtually continuously until 1827. The table possibly dates from the time of his marriage in 1772 to Elizabeth Surtees, and became part of the furnishings of Encombe House, Dorset, which he acquired in 1811. The house had originally been purchased by William Pitt from his father, consequently dissipating his fortune on good works, because of which 'the wealthiest branch of the family sank into the obscurity of the landless middle class'. It is also possible that the present table was acquired by Pitt for Encombe, although as many of the original interiors were destroyed in a series of fires between 1811 and 1813, Eldon employing William Bushrod of Weymouth to install new fireplaces, ceilings and cornices (See: Rodney Legg, Dorset Families).      

Wavy-wengewood is a member of the Milettia Laurentii family which is found in West Africa, the tree growing a height of some ninety feet with a bole as large as forty inches. It has been rarely seen specifically identified as a wood used in 18^th century cabinetmaking, possibly due to its similarity to some straight grain rosewood veneers.

See:
Rodney Legg, Dorset Families, Tiverton, 2002, pp. 55-58