Attributed to the workshop of William Cribb (active 1812-40)

William IV, circa 1835

marble, painted pine



with a distressed printed paper label to the back of the carved mask, re-decorated
*** Manufacturer / **** PRINTS ***ER / 34, **** STREET, C***  ***ARDEN / ****

Rhoda Koenig, ‘Top Dog’, The World of Interiors, December 1996, illustrated p.68

Very decorative. Losses to painted decoration. Losses to carved detail. Loss of moulding around the top of one leg. Painted surface with scuffs and old marks etc.
"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 very distressed paper label to the reverse of the mask of the frieze links this table with a small group of Kentian revival pieces by William Cribb. Between 1812-20 his company was based on Tavistock Street until relocating to 34, King Street, Convent Garden. The labels during this period are printed 'W. Cribb, / CARVER, GILDER, / Looking Glass / Manufacturer & / PRINTSELLER. / No. 34, King Street, / Covent Garden, / Prints, Drwings, &c. Framed & Glazed. / NB. Orders for Exportation executed and punctuality, & dispatch. / Pictures Clean'd - Lined and Repaired'. See C. Gilbert, ed., Pictorial Dictionary of Marked London Furniture 1700-1840, Leeds, 1996, p.24, p.165, figs.258-259.

The mask on this piece recalls the work of William Kent (see the mask on the central tablet of a chimneypiece by him from Devonshire House, see Chatsworth, The Attic Sale, 5-7 October 2010, lot 109. More interestingly there are three spectacular Kentian revival tables at Chatsworth one of which is signed, 'W. Cribb. Fecit 1834'. Undoubtedly a commission for William Cavendish the 6th Duke of Devonshire, who had a large collection of 18th century furniture by Kent, much of which came from Devonshire House. The State Rooms of which he re-decorated in this Kentian revivalist style were filled with architectural fittings and furnishings in a re-interpretation of the style in which the great house was originally decorated and mixed with original pieces by Kent. Cribb would have been exposed to the Duke's large collection of period pieces (and possibly drawings by Kent in the Duke's collection) and utilised them as a source of inspiration.