A George III mahogany and crossbanded five pedestal dining table circa 1790

the crossbanded top with boxwood strung border, each foot with inset brass hasp and castor and including an additional narrow conforming leaf and three modern additional plywood leaves, adding an extra 294cm. to the total length

Ordered by William Cavendish, 5^th Duke of Devonshire (1748-1811) for his new dining room at Chiswick

 

Chiswick House Inventory, 1811, recorded in The Small Inner Closet a Sett of Mahogany claw dining tables, banded, on Scrole claws in 5 pieces on castors;
Chiswick Inventory, 1863, p. 37 in the Dining Room;
Chiswick Inventory, 1869, p. 53 in the same room;
John Cornforth, Chatsworth, Derbyshire VIII, Country Life, August 29, 1968, p. 500;
The Duchess of Devonshire, Chatsworth -The House, London, 2002, p. 179, Illustrated in the Private Dining Room;
John Cornforth, Early Georgian Interiors, Yale, 2004, p. 43, illustrated in the Private Dining Room

This table is of very good colour and quality. The finely figured top has a solid cross banded border. The re-polished tops have slight variations in colour with some old scratches and marks with two being darker. There is also some characteristic warping to the top. There are some chips and losses to the edges between each section. On the under side of the top, the join between the solid cross banded edge has been concealed with a thin ebonised line. There are some minor losses to crossbanding. The corners of the top sections are all rather bruised and there is some minor bruising to the inner edges. There are some minor characteristic age cracks. The underside has had a light polish. There are numerous holes and patching where brass fittings have been moved over the years including some rather recent holes. The elegantly shaped legs are in very good condition with only light marks and scratches. Two legs have been repaired and have round inset plugs. Some of the joints throughout the table are a little lose and would benefit from some attention. The brass cappings and castors are tarnished. A truly beautiful table. There are no clips. The thin leaf is associated and is not crossbanded. There are old marks and scratches throughout.
"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 5th Duke inherited Chiswick, the residence of his maternal grandfather, in 1765 but it was not until a decade later that he began to make alterations. Firstly Samuel Lapidge was engaged to soften the axial gardens and later, in 1788, it was decided to demolish the old Jacobean house entirely and add wings to Lord Burlington's Villa transforming it into a substantial house. The work was entrusted to John White who created sympathetic additions in a Burlingtonesque style. These new wings provided additional reception rooms and bedrooms. This table was acquired shortly after the completion of White's building as it is recorded in the inventories of the contents of the house after the 5th Duke's death in 1811. When Chiswick was given up the table was moved to their London home in Carlton Gardens and then taken to Chatsworth where it became the principal table in the Private Dining Room (formerly the Gold Drawing Room).