An Irish George I gilt-gesso pier table

the rectangular top carved in gesso with a foliate cross to the center within foliate strapwork and shells and with molded edges with re-entrant corners above a conforming frieze with foliate strapwork above an out-curved apron center by a shell flanked by acanthus leaves and raised on acanthus carved cabriole legs with stylized shells and ending in shell-carved pad feet.

Overall fair restored condition; re-gilded, restorations to gesso mainly to top over age cracks and slight warpage, including two large butterfly patches to the underside and with age cracks to top with infilling; frieze re-inforced with later rails to the back; restorations to carved leaf tips to front frieze; legs with old losses to gesso now over-gilded; some corner blocks replaced; back rails probably replaced; gilding and gesso stable.
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 table with its shell pendant to the center of the apron and stylized shell carved knees and distinctive feet bears similarity to numerous pieces of Irish furniture made in the first half of the 18^th century.  Whilst not much Irish gilt-gesso furniture survives, the feet of the present lot are almost identical to those found on a pair of chairs or 'back stools' supplied possibly by Robert Baillie to Speaker William Conolly (1662-1729) for Castletown, Co. Kildare from 1719 to 1729.  Baillie is accredited with re-establishing the Irish tapestry industry, supplying an important set of tapestries to the new Irish Parliament building in 1732.  A gilt-gesso pier table in the manner of William Kent also survives from Castletown and may also have been supplied by Baillie.

See The Knight of Glin and James Peill, Irish Furniture, New Haven and London: 2007, pp. 66-68, figs. 75 and 76