A George III mahogany serving table circa 1765, in the manner of Wright and Elwick

restorations to the block feet and foliate carved brackets

Good overall condition. Restorations to block feet, foliate ear brackets to legs and one strut to underside. Good colour and patina. Old marks and scratches.
"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 egg-and-dart carving and the foliate carving on the spandrels found on the present serving table are some of the characteristic features of the documented work of the leading Yorkshire cabinet-making firm of Wright and Elwick ( 1745-1771). Richard Wright and Edward Elwick advertised themselves on their trade card as `Upholders from London....selling Cabinet work of ye Newest Fashion, Together with all sorts of Household Furniture'. It is possible that Richard Wright was the director of the Soho tapestry factory before moving to Wakefield, where the firm was located. Subscribers to Chippendale`s The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker`s Director, 1754, Wright and Elwick would have been familiar with current London taste. They supplied furniture to the leading families of Yorkshire, including the Earl of Strafford at Wentworth, Sir Rowland Winn at Nostell Priory, the Duke of Norfolk at Worksop Manor, Viscount Irwin at Temple Newsam House and the Marquess of Rockingham at Wentworth Woodhouse, see Christie`s London sale, July 8, 1998.

For comparison see a suite of library seat furniture with similar foliate carved brackets and egg-and-dart carving to the legs as the present lot, sold Christie`s house sale, Swinton House,  Masham, Yorkshire, October 20-21, 1975, lot 17. The suite was supplied to William Danby, referred to as a satisfied client in a letter from Edward Elwick to Charles Hotham in 1775: see C. Gilbert, `Wright and Elwick of Wakefield, 1748-1824', Furniture History Society Journal, 1976, pp. 1006-1008.