An early Victorian Ashford marble inlaid giltwood centre table circa 1840

the circular top centred by a parrot inlaid with lapis, malachite and verde antico, within a red marble border on a black Ashford marble ground, the base with three scrolled legs united by a triform stretcher, the underside with a paper label inscribed: Lord R. Cavendish

Devonshire House where it was photographed in the Ballroom in the late ninteenth century;

Probably given or lent by the 9th Duke of Devonshire to his brother Lord Richard Cavendish (1871-1946) and then returned

The top is in good condition though with some minor stains and some abrasion. There are minor chips and losses throughout to the gilt gesso decoration, which also has a build up of surface dust. The edge of the top has a two inch section of missing moulding. The frieze has some losses to the foliate scroll moulding. There are separations with some fragmentation to the joints to the under teir and some losses to the decoration in the is area.
"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."

Ashford Marble became a popular material for ornaments, in the late 18th Century when the quarries where developed by Henry Watson of Bakewell. In the 19th century it was promoted by the 6th Duke as suitable for furniture, emulating Florentine inlaid marble work which he had seen in Italy. The rare red limestone, seen on this table, known as Dukes Red, was excavated in Newhaven, Derbyshire from shafts sunk in 1823 and 1828.

Examples of this inlaid work were exhibited in the Great Exhibition of 1851 and included a table by Tomlinson of Ashford, illustrated in Jonathan Meyer, Great Exhibitions, London- New York- Paris-Philadelphia 1851-1900, 2006, p.46. Samuel Birley, was another highly skilled lapidarist who produced similar tables and exhibited at the International Exhibition of 1862.