An Irish George I Carved Gilt-Gesso Center Table

the rectangular top decorated with strapwork compartments and foliate sprays and scrolls with central foliate and flower ornamented strapwork cartouche on a punched ground, the molded edge with strapwork panels enclosing flower heads and hatch work, the shaped aprons centered by pendant shells with flat lambrequin designs enclosing flower heads and lozenges and with foliate scrolls on a punched ground, the cabriole legs with molded brackets enclosing feathered masks above pendant acanthus leaves, and with claw toes.

Kentshire Galleries, Ltd., New York

Although it is unusual to find mid 18th century Irish furniture with gilt-gesso decoration as on this table, its overall profile conforms closely with contemporary mahogany tea tables. The shaped frieze centered by a pendant shell, the slightly flattened masks on the knees and the paw feet with defined ankles are all attributes of Dublin craftsmen. Related mahogany tables in the collection at Malahide Castle, Ireland, and are illustrated in Gerald Kenyon, The Irish Furniture at Malahide Castle, Dublin, 1994, pp. 91 and 97.

See:

The Knight of Glin and James Peill, Irish Furniture, New Haven and London: 2007