A pair of late George III parcel-gilt and painted pier tables circa 1800, the design attributed to James Wyatt

with marble tops, later decorated, previously but possibly not originally with an undertier

Supplied to William, 3rd Viscount Courtenay, later 9th Earl of Devon (1768-1835) and thence by descent.

Inventory 1803, probably two of three gilded tables recorded in the Music Room
Inventory 1880, in the Music Room.

Illustrated 'Powderham Castle', Country Life, April 4^th 1908, Vol. XXIII, p. 490 in the Music Room.

Illustrated 'Powderham Castle III', Mark Girouard, Country Life, July 18^th 1963, Vol. CXXXIV, p. 140 in the Music Room.

Generally these tables are in good condition. Repair to both marble tops. The present ochre painted decoration appears to cover an earlier scheme of simulated rosewood. There are chips to this later scheme and wear to the gilding all-over. The bases of all the legs have holes possibly to have taken a stretcher originally. There are some losses to the moulded gesso leaf decoration on the friezes of both tables and one table is lacking a section of moulding to the winged central motif.
"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."

The lozenge motifs either side of the winged Egyptian tablet centering each frieze are likely to be copied from or traced over the original decoration to the present tables. These correlate with the ormolu frieze mounts on one of a set of ebony-inlaid pollard yew bookcases supplied by Marsh and Tatham for Carlton House in 1806 illustrated in Frances Collard, Regency Furniture, 1995, p. 54. The in-situ photographs in the 1908 Country Life article appear to depict each table with an undertier.