A Regency rosewood parcel-gilt centre table circa 1810, possibly by Marsh and Tatham

in the manner of Henry Holland, the circular tilt-top with applied gilt-metal mounts and brass inlay, on a turned spreading column and trifoil platform raised on stylised animal's feet

Generally this table is in good restored condition. The gilding has recently been re-newed and has been done well and sympathetically. The patina of the top is good. There has been some work done to the top to repair minor age cracks but this has also been well done. The bearers to the top seem to have been re-positioned perhaps during the restoration to the top. The frieze has regular plugged holes indicating that it may originally have had further mounts. Old marks and sxcracthes to the top and platform consistent with age and use.
"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 present table is associated with a group of furniture in  the Louis XVI influenced late Georgian style promoted by the architect Henry Holland. His designs were in part inspired by the drawings his pupil, Charles Heathcote Tatham made during a visit to Rome in the last decade of the 18th century which provided important source material for his Etchings representing Fragments of Grecian and Roman Architectural Ornaments, 1806. Henry Holland who was the architect of Southill Park, Bedfordshire is traditionally considered to have collaborated with the furniture makers Messrs. William Marsh and Thomas Tatham in the design of some closely related tables for the house. Furthermore, it is significant that Thomas Tatham's brother Charles Heatchote Tatham was employed by the firm and may have therefore contributed to the designs for this particular furniture commission (G. Jackson-Stops, `Southill Park, Country Life, 28 April 1994, fig. 11).

Besides Marsh and Tatham's associations with Samuel Whitbread at Southill, they also worked with Henry Holland and Domique Daguerre for the Duke of Bedford at Woburn and for the Prince of Wales at Carlton House (C. Gilbert and G. Beard, Dictionary of English Furniture Makers, 1660-1840, Leeds, 1986, pp. 623-624). A library table with an almost identical pillar and base, recorded in the Heathcote collection at Normanton Park, Rutland is illustrated in M. Jourdain, Regency Furniture 1795-1830, 1965, rev. ed. fig. 172.

Further related tables include a rectangular occasional table illustrated in Edward T. Joy, English Furniture 1800-1851, 1977, p.65, a table with frieze drawers sold from `The Collection of Lord and Lady White of Hull', Christie's New York, 30 April 1997, lot 40, an octagonal example Sold Sotheby's London, 3 July 2003, lot 66 and a circular table sold `Property from Two Ducal Collections, Woburn Abbey, Bedford', Christie's house sale, 20-21 September 2004, lot 1150.