A GEORGE III CARVED MAHOGANY DUMB WAITER, CIRCA 1765 |

the three dished tiers with foliate carved edge each supported upon fluted acanthus wrapped columns on cabriole legs on foliate pad feet with brass castors

Anonymous sale, Christie's London, 6 July 2000, lot 49

This exceptionally carved dumb-waiter is in overall good restored condition and ready to use. Surface slightly faded and re-polished. Lower tier with a few water spots and in general the whole would benefit from a wax according to taste. Fruitwood socle to underside of top tier with later screws and evidence of old worm, no longer active. Lower two tiers with notable undulation to mahogany consistent with age and consequently there are three small hairline age splits to larger tier. The threaded pins and sockets of each baluster stem with evidence of strengthening repairs/replacements and later mahogany inserts to improve stability of each section. Underside of one leg, near foot, with splice repair. Generally, with minor old chips and scratches consistent with age and use. Cracking carving.
"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."

This superb 'dumb' or 'silent' waiter, with its exquisitely carved acanthus and stop-fluted stem, hails from the Golden Age of English furniture making and would have been deployed near a dining table or in a drawing room for diners to help themselves. In a diary entry from 1784, Mary Hamilton (1756-18) - niece of Lady Emma Hamilton and a famous bluestocking in her own right - notes that at dinner 'we had dumb-waiters so our conversation was not under any restraint by ye Servants being in ye room'¹. ¹ Macquoid, P. and Edwards, R., The Dictionary of English Furniture, England, 1954, Vol. II, p. 227.