A pair of George III satinwood, marquetry and giltwood side tables circa 1780

the semi-elliptical tops centred by engraved harewood sunflower half paterae issuing amaranth reserved neo-classical figural medallions amongst floral swags , the outer borders trailing ribbon motifs intertwined with hop leaves, the bases with fluted and guilloche decoration, on leaf carved legs, bases with later overgilding, some inlay later, tops re-backed

Arthur Sanderson, Esq., Learmouth Terrace, Edinburgh, until sold Christie's, 6 May 1915, lot 114;
William Lever, 1st Viscount Leverhulme, acquired from D.L. Isaacs (invoice 7 June 1915, MHDL 36, £65), at The Hill (X. Inv. X299-299A)
Sold Sotheby's, The Leverhulme Collection, 26, 27, 28 June 2001, lot 215

Good overall condition. The tops appear to be original to the bases, although they have been re-backed and there is some later inlay as per the catalogue description. Some of the crossbandings have been patched and filled, mainly to the rear edges. Some minor warping to tops The tops have been repolished. Repaired green tinged water mark to the top of one table towards the centre. Some minor warping to legs. The tables later adapted with mortice and tenons so that the tables can be put together as a centre table. Good colour. Possibly some original gilding beneath the later gilding.
"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."

These side tables have provenance from the celebrated Sanderson collection, which was dispersed in two sales in 1911 and 1915. Although a buyer at both sales, Leverhulme has, as Lucy Wood notes, a more direct connection with this like-minded collector through James Orrock, to whom is dedicated Orrocks's biography (Lucy Wood, Catalogue of Commodes, 1994, p.32).

Arthur Sanderson (1846-1915) was an Edinburgh distiller and wine merchant. He had a house in Learmonth Terrace decorated in different styles by Scott Morton to complement the chronological sweep of his collection, an idea paralleled in Leverhulme's use of 'period rooms'. An extensive series of articles in the Art Journal in 1897, which recorded the collection, bear witness to his preference for satinwood and marquetry furniture, an attitude which Leverhulme also adopted, and which this piece confirms. Cosmo Monkhouse writes, 'In chastity and elegance of form, and in the art of decorating wood-work with the brush, there is nothing to excel the finest examples of English work of the latter part of the eighteenth century and the beginning of the nineteenth. Mr Sanderson's collection of those beautiful things is unusually large.' (Cosmo Monkhouse, 'A Northern Home: IV - THE FURNITURE,' Art Journal, 1897 p.137).