A Fine George III satinwood and fruitwood marquetry Pembroke table in the manner of Mayhew and Ince circa 1775

the figured and cross banded oval top with two flaps, the center inlaid with an oval panel of lobed petals issuing from a ventral shell, the corners with sprays of flowers and leaves, the flaps with swags of husks hanging from patera and tied with ribbons, the frieze with a drawer and similarly inlaid, the square tapered legs cross banded and with square collars above brass cup castors.

Christie's, New York, January 25, 2001, lot 553

Overall good condition; the very good color and with a waxy surface to the table; the line-engraving to the veneers appears to be original with some slight enhancements; the top has been slightly moved to accommodate some minor warpage, the upshot being that there are two screws lacking to two holes and there is one later screw from the frame into the top; some of the screws to the hinges are either lacking or replaced; later handles to the drawer front and dummy drawer; the wheel to the front right caster is lacking; there are some very minor losses to the cross-banded edge of the top and some minor nicks and wear.
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.

With its use of beautifully figured satinwood and marquetry including motifs such as ribbon-tied husk swags, flower-head roundels, floral sprays and large shell inlays this table certainly is evocative of the work of the Mayhew and Ince partnership.  Having established their workshop in 1759 in Broad Street, the firm became one of the most successful and most productive firms of cabinet-makers of the second half of the 18^th century rivaling the workshops of Thomas Chippendale and William and John Linnell.  The distinctive marquetry of this table including ribbon-tied husk swags draped over flower-head roundels are typical of the firm's oeuvre and can be found on a commode most probably made for the 5^th Earl of Chesterfield for Chesterfield house circa 1777 and now in the collection of the Lady Lever Art Gallery, no. 23 (Wood, op. cit. pp.207-208).  This motif is continued in many other commissions including on a pair of Pembroke tables which were formerly in the North Drawing room at Ham House, sold by the Countess of Dysart at Sotheby's, London, April 10, 1972, lot 64, another Pembroke table from this group sold in these rooms from the collection of Tom Devenish, April 24, 2008, lot 135 ($91,000).