A Regency thuya, ebony and parcel-gilt centre table circa 1810, attributed to Morel & Hughes

Anonymous sale, Sotheby's London, 7 July 1995, lot 131.

Good overall condition. Painted and gilded decoration apparently largely original with some minor chips and wear. Possible minor restoration to painted and gilded finish. Repolised finish to top. General minor old marks and scratches to veneers.
"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 base of this table is of identical design to that of a table at Southill Park, Bedfordshire, originally commissioned by Samuel Whitbread II around 1810-15. Both tables are clearly by the same maker, almost certainly that of the Royal cabinet-makers Nicholas Morel and Robert Hughes, who are known to have been employed at Southill and whose documented work includes several pieces of related design, characterised by the same rich carving and decoration, notably those supplied to the Prince Regent at Carlton House and the 3rd Duke of Northumberland at Northumberland House. (see Gervase Jackson-Stops, `Southill Park, Bedfordshire', Country Life, 26 April 1994, pp. 62-67; Margaret Jourdain, Regency Furniture 1795-1820, rev. ed., 1948, fronticepiece of the Drawing Room at Southill; Clifford Musgrave, Regency Furniture, 1961, pl. 31; Frances Collard, Regency Furniture , 1985, p. 111, col. pl. 12; Carlton House, The Past Glories of George IV's Palace, 1991, various refs; Christie's London 27 June 1985, lot 88; Sotheby's London, 11 April 1975, lot 158). Another possibility is that the tables were supplied by the firm of Marsh and Tatham, who also worked at Southill, although stylistically they are not so closely allied to Marsh and Tatham's main production.

The top of the present table borrows features from the designs of Thomas Hope, notably the stars and the central laurel leaf border, both of which clearly relate to the decoration of a circular table top illustrated in Hope's Household Furniture and Interior Decoration, 1807, pl. XXXIX. However the base closely follows a pattern for a circular table illustrated in Peter and Michael Angelo Nicholson's, The Practical Cabinet-Maker, 1827, pl. 61. As Nicholson's design appears to stylistically post date that of the offered table, it is interesting to speculate whether he had been inspired by Hope's designs.