A George III mahogany pier table in the manner of Henry Hill of Marlborough

the frieze now fitted with a mahogany-lined frieze drawer bearing an ivorine label: DANIELL / 42, 44, 46 Wigmore St., / London.  The top reduced in depth and possibly once veneered, the frieze drawer later, losses, repaired break to top of right back leg.

The Great House, Burford, Oxfordshire

Daniell, London

Acquired from the above, 1972

Restored condition with later frieze drawer, the top reduced in depth and refinished, in need of repolishing, old marks and scratches, losses and minor replacements to ebony stringing of edge, small triangular patch to front edge of top, the frieze veneered in a finely figured veneer, the base beautifully carved of fine timber, losses to moldings at tops of right front and both back legs, repaired break to top of right back leg, framing of underside with cross brace patch at back rail, top reset.
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.

Henry Hill worked as a cabinetmaker, decorator, auctioneer, furnisher, estate agent and representative of the Sun Insurance Company in Marlborough, Wiltshire, from the early 1740s until his death in 1778, when the business was taken over by his assistant Samuel Hilliker.  Despite his provincial origins, Hill worked for some of the most sophisticated patrons of his day.  A major London client was Sir John, later Lord, Deleval, whose commission is recorded in a number of letters between himself and Hilliker of Seaton Delaval (see L. Wood, 'Furniture for Lord Delaval', Journal of the Furniture History Society, 1990, vol. XXVI, pp. 198-222).  Most of his known clients appear to have resided in his immediate area, and included the 9th Duke of Somerset at Maiden Bradley, whose purchases in 1770-1771 amounted to £227 10s 3d.  Other clients included Paul Methuen of Corsham Court, whose accounts show an expenditure of £1300 between 1760 and 1778, Arabella Calley of Burderop Park, near Swindon and Henry Hoare at Stourhead.

This table is related to work of Hill of Marlborough on the basis of its similarity to the legs of a mahogany Pembroke table with a parquetry top, sold, Sotheby's, London, The Horlick Collection, June 5, 2007, lot 156.  Like the present table, the legs are headed by deeply carved oval paterae continuing to fluted legs.  The Horlick table is very similar to one Hill supplied to Paul Methuen at Corsham Court, Wiltshire in the early 1770s, illustrated by Lucy Wood in The Lady Lever Art Gallery Catalogue of Commodes, London, 1994, p.68, fig. 48.  It exhibits the same distinctive large-scale lozenge parquetry which, according to Wood, 'seems to have been a speciality of Hill's, with or without the addition of marquetry.'  

A table almost certainly by Hill was sold, Christie's, London, July 9, 1992, lot 66, with large lozenge-patterned top, floral marquetry.  The fluted collars of the legs are very similar to the present table.