Lot 121
LATE GEORGE III MAHOGANY TAMBOUR TOP DESK, AFTER A DESIGN BY THOMAS SHEARER
LATE 18TH CENTURY
Auction: Five Centuries Day One | Wed 11th November | Lots 1 to 322
Description
of neat size, the domed tambour top opening to reveal a green leather lined writing surface, above a pair of short frieze drawers, with dummy drawers to the other three sides, raised on square tapered legs ending in brass caps and leather castors
Dimensions
77cm wide, 86cm high, 56cm deep
Footnote
A design for a closely related 'cylinder fall desk, with legs' is featured in Thomas Shearer's Cabinet-makers' London Book of Prices, plate 13, 1788. A related design for a 'Tambour Writing Table', 'a very convenient piece of furniture', was included in the third edition of George Hepplewhite's The Cabinet-maker and Upholsterer's guide, 1794, pl. 61.
Unlike his contemporaries Hepplewhite and Thomas Sheraton, little is known about Thomas Shearer, other than the signed plates that appeared in his trade publication Book of Prices. It is assumed he was a working cabinet maker, however no trade card or bills survive, there is no record of his place of business, and no furniture directly made by him has been identified.