A GEORGE III MAHOGANY OVAL LIBRARY WRITING TABLE circa 1790

the cross banded top with ebonized lines and inset with a leather panel above a conforming frieze with eight cross banded drawers with inlaid kidney-shaped tablets variously inscribed and indistinctly stamped 'I. BRAMAH' and 'PATENT' beneath a crown, with foliate cast brass handles with circular pattern back-plates, the four square tapered and paneled legs carved with pendant husks and with molded spade toes supported on brass castors, each drawer with a Bramah lock.

Sotheby's, New York

Ian McNeil, Joseph Bramah, Newton Abbot, 1968

The edge of the top with some scuff marks. Minor chips and old replacements to veneers. Small losses and replacements to satinwood borders on drawer fronts and to veneers on frieze. One foot chipped. Minor losses. Drawers released by a key. Old marks and scratches. Minor bruising to edges of legs.
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.

Of unusual oval form, this library table is obviously the work of a highly accomplished cabinet maker. The cross banded drawers are inlaid with variously lettered tablets which, although unfortunately rubbed, indicate that they do not follow the regular pattern of the alphabet. It is interesting to compare it with lot 91 which is obviously by the same maker, but is ornamented with carved detail, unlike the other which is inlaid with boxwood lines and has boxwood moldings. The present table retains its original Bramah locks and, as the other table, its original handles which are of the same pattern. These are shown in an 18^th century pattern brass-founders pattern book in the Collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

The table retains its original locks which are marked I. BRAMAH PATENT. Joseph Bramah (1749-1784) was a celebrated engineer and entrepreneur who is credited with the original invention of the hydraulic press, a fact which has now been somewhat obscured. The original patent for the design of the locks on this table was granted in 1784, the name of the company being changed after his death to Bramah and Company.

See:
Nicholas Goodison, 'The Victoria and Albert Museum's Collection of Metal-Work Pattern Books',  Furniture History The Journal of the Furniture History Society, London, vol XI, plate 26