A pair of Irish George II style carved mahogany side tables late 19th century

the moulded rounded rectangular top above a deep apron with diaper punched ground

Table one :Good overall condition. Minor visible construction join to the top boards at the rear. Minor age cracks and bruising to the moulded edge of the top. Minor chips to the right hand return apron. Minor chips to carving to the left leg knee. Scuffing to the feet. General old marks and scratches. Good colour and patina. Table two : Separated construction join to the boards to the rear of the top and also some minor typical age cracks to the top. Top loose and slightly warped and with age cracks. Frame joints loose so table is unstable. Right frieze return with a mssing section of veneer. Nail to front right corner of top. Minor loss to the carved scrolls to the inner sides of the front supports. Separation to left front leg joints, with left leg starting to come away. General old marks and scratches. Lovely patina and colour. It is rare for a pair of Irish side tables to have survived together. They are of impressive scale and convincing design.
"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 present lot appears to be based on an almost identical 18th century example with provenance from the bequest of John L. Cadwalader, 1914, recorded in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (see The Knight of Glin and James Peill, Irish Furniture, 2007, p. 230, pl. 100). One of a further similar pair of tables `circa 1755' is illustrated in Francis Lenygon, Furniture in England, 1914, p. 139, fig. 217 and another single example in Percy Macquoid, A History of Furniture, 1988, rev. ed., p. 287, pl. 646