A fine George III mahogany dressing table after a design by Mayhew and Ince circa 1765

the top fitted with two hinged panels opening to reveal an interior fitted with a dressing mirror on ratchet support flanked by an arrangement of lidded and open compartments; raised on chamfered square tapering legs joined by a concave platform stretcher and raised on faceted block feet.

Overall good restored condition and with a later glossy finish; the two-paneled top with some fading; the right panel with a long infilled vertical age crack to center; the left panel with age cracks over lines of construction with some inpainting; slight lifting to veneered section at top left corner; rectangular veneer patch around the keyhole and above the keyhole; keyhole possibly once fitted with an escutcheon; mirror glass possibly replaced and with minor pitting; old worm damage; lock plate probably replaced; platform stretcher possibly later and now split down the center; front left foot with two replaced blocks; front right foot with one replaced block; back left foot with three replaced blocks.
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.

The present dressing table is almost identical to a design for a 'Lady's Dressing table' by Mayhew and Ince, illustrated in their pattern book, Universal System of Household Furniture, 1762, pl. XXXVIII.  The present table has a similar divided top openening to a dressing mirror on ratchet support flanked by an arrangement of small compartments and has similar tapering square legs with similar panels and concave platform stretcher.

Mayhew and Ince supplied a dressing table to the 6th Earl of Coventry at Croome Court in 1782, which appears in an invoice of that year, preserved with the Croome Court Estate Trustees, and states '1782 Aug 24. A Neat Mahogany Dressing table with a folding top of Extra fine wood with a Sweep front Compleatly fitted up with Cutt Glass bottles, Water Glasses, Mahogany boxes, and a Dressing Glass to Slide, with the best locks & Keys, £10.5s'.

Dressing tables with a similar divided top, attributed to Mayhew and Ince, sold in these rooms, April 19-20, 2001, lot 493 and sold at Christie's, New York, April 8, 2004, lot 145.