A Regency gilt-brass mounted scagliola, giltwood and green painted centre table by George Oakley & John Evans, London, circa 1818

with a figured grey circular scagliola top within a guilloche embossed gilt-brass border, on a waterleaf carved compound baluster stem and splayed triangular support, decorated with dolphins and tritons, on lion's paw feet and a triform platform with concealed brass castors

Acquired by Sir William Forbes, 7 Bt. (1773-1828)

Oakley & Evans, Cabinetmakers, 8 Old Bond Street, London, 26 March 1818; 'A small circular table, with scagliola top and brass rim on a gilt-tripod standard, £12-12-0, a skeleton packing case, 3ft. 8 batons & sheet paper and haybands [?] tissue, packing and booking / £13-15-0', NLS (Acc.4796/195)

This piece is of very high quality as to be expected when the maker is considered. The top with old marks, ring marks and wear and scratches. The gesso with chips and losses throughout some of these losses reveal the white size and timber. Green painted decoration with similar chips and. Losses to applied gesso motifs at the collar. The top is slightly unsteady. There is evidence of old worm where there have been losses to gesso. A rare object.
"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."

George Oakley (d.1840) worked in partnership with various cabinet-makers, including Henry Kettle, George Shackleton and finally John Evans. Evans starting his career as a 'water-gilder'. Oakley produced fashionable furniture in a refined Grecian style (C. Gilbert and G. Beard, eds., Dictionary of English Furniture Makers 1660-1840, 1986, pp. 658-660). His extensive enterprise earned the accolades of the Royal Family: 'the Prince and Princess of Orange did Mr. Oakley the honour of viewing his Printed Furniture Warehouse in New Bond Street; when his Majesty, the Duke and Duchess of York, and the Princesses, & C., highly approved of the splendid variety which has justly attracted the notice of the fashionable world' (Morning Chronicle). This reputation spread abroad where an 1804 newspaper article published in Weimar, Germany stated: 'all people with taste buy their furniture at Oakley's'. Beard & Gilbert (op. cit. p. 660) conclude their entry on Oakley with the following: 'Identifiable pieces by George Oakley are typified by the architectural quality of design and the high standard of craftsmanship, and smart Regency aspect of decoration which characterize the output of this fashionable cabinet maker, throughout the whole of his known career'.