A George II style parcel-gilt and white painted pier table, 20th century, in the manner of William Kent

the figured grey marble splash back and top above a carved and painted Vitruvian frieze raised on six scroll carved legs, some elements probably 18th century, redecorated

Bruce Weber, Love, ‘Burning Spirit, A Play With 5 Characters; A Ghost: “Kick” Kennedy, A Grandmother: Duchess of Devonshire, A Mother: Stella Tennant, A Son: Marcel Lasnet, A Tailor: Nicolas Ghesquiére’, September 2010, photographed in the Dining Room at the Old Vicarage, Edensor;
Bruce Weber, Town & Country, ‘Ladies of the House’, March 2014, p. 136, photographed in the Dining Room at the Old Vicarage, Edensor.

A very interesting and highly decorative piece. The painted and gilt decoration has been refreshed and has some typical signs of wear including minor losses. One support baton to the underside with an age crack. The grey marble top with some minor old marks and scratches. This piece is ready to place.
"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."

Over the last two centuries, Chatsworth became a huge depository for the contents of other great family houses; most notably those from William Kent’s Devonshire House on London’s Piccadilly, which was sold in 1920, and similarly from Chiswick in 1929.   Architectural material was also salvaged and, wisely, retained: see Sotheby’s Derbyshire, ‘Chatsworth, The Attic Sale’, 5-7  October 2010.

Much of the renovation work at Chatsworth in the 1950s and 60s was done on a very tight budget. Architectural fragments that had been tucked away were cleverly utilised for restoration and refurbishment. There are chimneypieces at Edensor House on the estate constructed from carved wood dado rails and other elements from Devonshire House, and it is possible that the Duchess was behind the conception of these.

Whilst the offered lot appears 20th century in construction, it incorporates 18th century ‘Kentian’ elements. The Duchess refreshed the decoration of the table when it went for conservation in 1999.