A GEORGE II PADOUK CONCERTINA-ACTION CARD TABLE, MID-18TH CENTURY |

the serpentine shaped hinged top enclosing a baize-lined interior with conforming frieze and a gadrooned apron moulding on foliate and cabochon-carved cabriole legs with scroll feet, the underside with a label with pen inscription J. F. No. 1 and a further pencil inscription Chevely [sic] Park / Bt of Duke of Rutland Sale March 1845

Possibly supplied to John Manners, Marquis of Granby for Cheveley Park, Cambridgshire;
Thence by descent to John Henry Manners, 6th Duke of Rutland at Cheveley Park, until sold March 1845 (according to pencil inscription to underside);
With Hotspur Ltd., London;
Property of a New England Collector, Christie's New York, 13 April 2000, lot 12;
Acquired from Partridge Fine Art, London, 8 May 2000.

In overall excellent restored condition and ready to place. Colour to top faded slightly and surface re-polished. Small section of gadrooning possibly replaced. Generally with minor scuffs and scratches consistent with age and use.
"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."

According to a pencil inscription to the underside, the present table once formed part of the collection of the Dukes of Rutland at Cheveley Park until it was 'sold March 1845' (fig.1). Tantilisingly, no record of this sale has emerged to date. John Manners, 5th Duke of Rutland, transformed Cheveley Park into a thoroughbred centre of note, breeding four Classic winners, until the estate was eventually sold in 1892. A virtually identical table, lacking the gadrooned apron but almost certainly the pair to the present table, was sold Christie's London, Important English Furniture, 29 November 2001, lot 95.