A William and Mary parcel-gilt red japanned centre table

the japanned top above two short drawers on four carved S-scroll legs joined by a raised stretcher, restorations

A highly decorative piece in good conserved condition. The top has been refinished and has some minor movement along the lines of construction commensurate with age. There are areas of retouching to the decorated surface of the table. With signs of old worm to legs which is no longer active. There is damage to the end of one leg. Old marks and scratches throughout commensurate 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 persecution of French Protestants or Huguenots under Louis XIV led to mass emigration to the Protestant Netherlands and subsequently England. A safe political haven, England became a centre of patronage for European artisans and craftsmen, such as the cabinet-makers Jean, Thomas and René Pelletier, whose influence can be seen in the current lot, namely in the double scroll legs and the curved, stepped stretcher. The dramatic curves of the lower section contrast with the classicising gilt details of the scrolls and the foliate border to the japanned table top, more typical to English furniture at this time. The Continental influence meets the coeval taste for the Oriental and exotic goods, in the use of japanning, an English technique for imitating lacquer. Although descriptions of it appear as early as 1670, John Stalker and George Parker's 1688 A Treatise of Japanning and Varnishing made the technique wide available describing the processes and providing designs to imitate genuine lacquer. The red japanning of this centre table was achieved by adding pigments such as vermilion to the clear varnish, creating the rich and vivid colour as seen in this example, offset by the delicate additional decoration of the birds and a Japanese-style scene of leisurely pursuits.