喬治二世雕刻桃花心木可展開牌桌一對， 約1755年

the serpentine top with a reeded edge ornamented with crossed- ribbon motifs and inset to the inside with green baize and with an internal slide fitted with a counter or card container, the frieze carved throughout with Gothic headed flutes, on acanthus and scroll-carved cabriole legs with fluted lower sections headed by pearl ornament and terminating in scroll-carved feet raised on faceted pads, hinges stamped Tibats

應為諾森伯蘭第一代公爵休（1712-1786年）為諾森伯蘭公館購入，倫敦；
自此家族收藏

The present tables are possibly those referred to in an inventory of the contents of Northumberland House, carried out in 1786, on the death of the 1st Duke of Northumberland (The Archives of the Duke of Northumberland at Alnwick Castle Sy.H.VIII.1.b). Recorded in `The Crimson Damask Room', A pair of Mahogany Card Tables covered/ with green Cloth and fly legs... £2...'

Another entry which might also be the present tables is listed `Under the Great Staircase', `2 Mahogany Comode card Tables../1 Square Do., all lined wt. greem cloth... £3..13.. 6'. 

One of the tables iIlustrated, Helen, 8^th Duchess of Northumberland, Catalogue of Contents, Albury Park and 17 Princes Gate in the Collection of the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, Privately Published, 1930, [item 61], ( Fig. 1).

COMPARATIVE LITERATURE

A mahogany card table of identical form is illustrated in P. Macquoid and R. Edwards, The Dictionary of English Furniture, London, 1927, vol. III, p.193, fig. 30. and given a provenance of Tyttenhanger, Hertfordshire, (see fig.2).

The same Tyttenhanger table is illustrated in H.A.Tipping, English Homes, London, 1928, period IV, vol. I, p.78, fig. 109.

 

These beautiful tables with elegant and well-proportioned design are in good country house condition; surface is slightly dry which could certainly be enhanced with waxing. There is a slight difference in colour – as to be expected – to frieze, between exterior and interior sections, due to exposure to sun light. Minor losses to carvings, marks and scratches consistent with age and use. Table one with repaired shrinking crack - patch to veneer to full width of top - there are four other small shrinking cracks, surface of the top seems to have been re-polished; left side frieze with: small chip to edge and loss to upper moulding of concertina interior section, small loss to carving of left hand side to back ear. Table two also has a shrinking crack to centre and other four other small cracks; there is a loss of ear corner and loss of carving to other ear on right hand same side; small loss to carving to edge of interior concertina section of frieze (left hand side); right hand side section with loss to moulding top and edge.
"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."

此對桃花心木牌桌應為第一代公爵休（1712-1786年）購入，相信是諾森伯蘭公爵家族位於倫敦的府邸——諾森伯蘭公館的1786年清單上「緋紅錦緞」（The Crimson Damask）廳中的牌桌。

無論從設計或卓越的品質來看，此對牌桌都與保羅·桑德斯與喬治·史密斯·布萊德朔（Paul Saunders and George Smith Bradshaw ）之出品一致，據傳是二人作品。桑德斯在倫敦蘇豪區希臘街工作，為不少貴族和上流社會人士製家具。據記載，他在1750至1759年間曾為第一代公爵與公爵夫人提供家具及織錦，總計1607英鎊3先令，其中應包括此對牌桌。這種推論也來自於當時桑德斯製作的其他相類家具，其中為侯克漢廳萊斯特伯爵而製的一套座椅，椅腿上刻有與此品幾乎相同的圖案。另外，此對牌桌更與湯瑪斯·齊本戴爾的設計有關，齊本戴爾的《紳士與家具工匠指南》（The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker`s Director）之1754年和1762年版中有椅子和書櫃設計元素（圖版 LXXI 及 XIX）與此品相通。此指南為第一代公爵而出，桑德斯屬最早閱讀此書的一批人。

此對牌桌可展開，僅最上乘之牌桌才配有此技術。展開後，楣板及後面桌腿向外延伸，形成正方形，穩妥優雅。