A pair of Regency engraved-brass-inlaid rosewood occasional tables by John Wellsman circa 1820

Supplied to Sir John Davie, 9th Bt., Creedy Park, Devon
Sold Sotheby's London, November 7, 1997, lot 89

Good condition; with a glossy surface; one with a slightly loose top; both with minor usual nicks and wear to extremities particularly to the feet.
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 pairs of tables (lots 87 and 88) were part of a suite of furniture supplied by the London cabinet-maker John Wellsman to Sir John Davie, 9^th Bt. (1798-1824), for the Drawing Room at Creedy Park, Devon, in 1820.  The suite is the most important known commission by Wellsman and is fully documented in accounts preserved among the Creedy Park papers in the Devon Record Office, described as:

A Very Elegant Rose wood Loo Table the wood remarkably fine, on richly carved feet inlaid very superbly with engraved brass ornaments, and richly carved ornaments lines &c of the best workmanship…£88 11s

A Pair of Elegantly finished Card Tables to correspond lined with velvet…£68 5s (lot 88)

A large size Sofa Table finished in a corresponding superb manner to match…£64 19s

Two Superb and highly finished Cabinets richly inlaid carved and finished to suite; statuary Marble tops rich brass trellis to the folding doors lined with fluted rich silk richly carved lion claw feet &c…£58 9s

Two Coffee Tables of very fine rose wood on standards with claws richly carved and inlaid with brass richly engraved to suit Loo Table…£28 (lot 87)
(Devon Record Office, 2346M/E1)

Sir John Davie inherited Creedy Park from his father and occupied the house in 1819 following his coming of age.  In 1820 he commissioned John Wellsman to redecorate the interior and the present suite formed part of these works.  The cost and quality of the suite reflects both Wellsman’s abilities as a cabinet-maker and Sir John Davie’s wish to consolidate his new position and to modernize the house at Creedy in accordance with the latest London fashions.

John Wellsman is first recorded in 1813 trading as a cabinet-maker and chair-maker from premises at 33 Wardour Street, Soho, with apartments in Berwick Street and additional workshops in Portman Mews. By 1821 he had expanded to occupy further workshops in Hollen Street, where he is last recorded in 1823.  Although based in London, Wellsman may well have been related to another cabinet-maker of the same name recorded in the locality of Creedy Park at Sidbury, Devon, in the mid 18^th century  (cf. Geoffrey Beard and Christopher Gilbert (eds.), Dictionary of English Furniture Makers, 1660-1840, 1986, p. 958).

Sir John Davie did not live long to enjoy the house at Creedy as he died unmarried in 1824 at the age of twenty-six.  The present suite passed with the property to Sir John’s uncle, and thence to his descendants.  In 1915 Creedy Park was destroyed by fire, but the suite was saved, remaining in the family until the present day.