Lot 411
A pair of George III mahogany card tables
Auction: 12 December 2003 at 11:00 GMT
Description
attributed to James Newton, each with rectangular swivelling foldover top with applied rounded edge enclosing quarter veneered interior inset with blue baize oval and raised moulded edge, above plain cockbeaded frieze drawer and curved square section tapering X frame supports with brass caps and castors joined by turned stretcher
57cm wide, 73cm high, 39cm deep (folded)
Footnote
These tables are directly comparable to one probably supplied by Newton to Sir Gilbert Heathcote of Normanton Park, and illustrated as Fig. 52 in Giles Ellwood's definitive article on Newton in Furniture History. Various other associated tables on this type of support can be related to Newton, particularly the marble topped table inscribed 'To Messrs Newton, Wardour St' illustrated in the same article.
Newton (1760-1829) was one of the more enigmatic cabinet makers of his era, producing furniture in a distinctly French, and often exotic, manner. Celebrated chiefly for his relationship with Matthew Boulton, he also numbered among his major known clients the Earl of Breadalbane and Duke of Buccleuch. He provided furniture for the London homes of these Scottish aristocrats as well as their seats at Taymouth Castle, Perthshire, Drumlanrig Castle, Dumfriesshire, and Dalkeith Palace, Midlothian. Taymouth was the subject of a celebrated seven day house sale in 1922.
Giles Ellwood 'James Newton' Furniture History XXXI 1995 pp129-205