A WILLIAM IV MAHOGANY EXTENDING DINING TABLE BY ROBERT JUPE, CIRCA 1835-1840 |

the frieze with an impressed medallion JUPE'S PATENT/JOHNSTONE JUPE & CO./NEW BOND STREET/LONDON around a royal coat of arms, together with a leaf-case housing sixteen additional leaves in two sizes

Jane Howard, sold Christie's New York, October 29, 1983, lot 207
Christie's London, July 6, 1995, lot 132 (£67,500)

Scattered nicks, scratches, rubbing, small losses to veneer and minor staining commensurate with age and use. Top and the narrower leaves have been re-polished, sometime prior to 1995 when table was last sold at auction. The legs with some abrasion to veneer and possibly originally with paw feet; the brass caps associated. Radial mechanism in full working order. Leaf case with scattered nicks and scratches and abrasion around edges, age splits to the door and top. Some warping to front door and one side of inside front door panel moulding which is becoming detached, but door still closes. Door knob mechanism replaced. Set of additional leaves is complete.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

In 1835 the London upholsterer Robert Jupe of 47 Welbeck Street, Cavendish Square, patented a design for 'an improved expanding table so constructed that the sections composing its surface may be caused to diverge from a common center and that the spaces caused thereby may be filled up by inserting leaves or filling pieces'. The first tables were produced between 1835 and 1840 in partnership with the cabinetmaker John Johnstone of New Bond Street and were stamped Johnstone, Jupe & Co. London. In 1840 Robert Jupe dissolved the partnership and subsequent examples were signed by Jupe only.  Several versions of Jupe tables are illustrated in C. Gilbert, The Pictorial Dictionary of Marked London Furniture, Leeds 1996, figs.530-35.