A FINE GEORGE III MAHOGANY PEMBROKE TABLE Circa 1775

the highly figured serpentine top and flaps with guilloche-carved edge above a fluted serpentine drawer and gadrooned edge, on tapering fluted legs terminating in spade feet on casters.

Beautiful quality and timber; finely carved; solid mahogany top, flaps and frieze; perishing to varnish; top with a glossy finish and possibly Fresh polished at one time; minor warpage to flaps; light sun-fading to top and flaps; edge to top with beautiful guilloche or entrelac carving; left flap with replaced supports; right flap with partially replaced supports; small chip to left side of frieze drawer; molded collar to top of front right leg lacking; front left leg with 5-inch replacement patch to outside fluting; 7-inch patch to inside front corner; front right leg with a 2 ½ - inch corner patch to inside fluting; two-inch corner patch to outside front left leg above caster; age crack to bottom right corner of back frieze; two front gadrooned collars to back legs replaced; casters probably replaced, the front left caster loose and and in need of fastening; overall with old marks, scratches scuffs and bruises; lock plate replaced.
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 superb quality of the carved elements including the guilloche molded edge of the serpentine top and flaps, the gadrooned molding to the apron and fine fluting to the frieze and legs, together with the use of highly figured mahogany and the fine proportions of this Pembroke table suggest that it was made by one of the best London cabinet makers of the last quarter of the 18^th century.  Although these elements are found in the work of Vile and Cobb, Chippendale, Mayhew and Ince and others, the present table is possibly by John Linnell.  The table shares a number of stylistic similarities to a number of Linnell's known pieces, such as the use of guilloche carving and fluted legs with a neck at the join with the frieze.  This is demonstrated in a set of ten chairs made for Robert Child at Osterley, circa 1768, illustrated in Helena Hayward and Pat Kirkham, William and John Linnell, New York, 1980, vol. II, p. 39.  The similar use of guilloche carving and the same form of leg is found on a set of six chairs supplied for Harewood House, circa 1775 (illustrated op. cit. p. 45) and in a suite of furniture supplied to the Duke of Argyle for Inverary Castle, circa 1775 (illustrated op. cit. p. 130).

John Linnell (1729-1796), a cabinet-maker, upholster and carver was the son of the distinguished cabinet-maker William Linnell (b.c.1703-d.1763), joining his father's firm in the late 1740s.  He studied at St. Martin's Lane Academy, which had been founded by William Hogarth in 1735.  He became 'an excellent carver in wood', eventually inheriting the firm from his father in 1763.