A GEORGE II FUSTIC SIDE TABLE ATTRIBUTED TO WILLIAM BRADSHAW

A GEORGE II FUSTIC SIDE TABLE ATTRIBUTED TO WILLIAM BRADSHAW

SOLD

A mid 18th century side table with a shell carving at the center of the frieze on chamfered square legs and marble top.

English, Circa 1750

Note; The present table is made from Fustic as apposed to Mahogany which was more commonly used in this period.

The present table belongs to a small group of similarly conceived tables, each executed with exceptionally fine carving and with fine detail. Each has the distinctive shell carving at the center of the frieze. The most distinguished of this group is a pair formerly at Langley Park, Norfolk, which sold at Christie’s, London, July 6, 1995, lot 100 (£452,500).

Another pair of tables at Chevening House, Kent (illustrated, Oliver Bracket, `Furniture at Chevening House', Old Furniture, Vol. 7, May-August 1929, p.72, fig.5) which has similar friezes centered by shells and square chamfered legs was possibly supplied to the second Earl of Stanhope in the mid 1730s, by William Bradshaw. (fl.1728-d.1775). Another very similar table was formerly in the collection of the Earls of Poulett at Hinton House and sold at Sotheby’s, London, November 1, 1968, lot 52.

Another unprovenanced table with straight legs was sold at Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, The Collection of Helen Porter Pryibil, November 20 and 21, 1969, lot 1048. Another similar table from the collection of Henry, 7th Earl of Carnarvon of Highclere Castle, sold at Sotheby’s, London, June 6, 2006, lot 304.

William Bradshaw’s clients included Lord Folkestone at Longford Castle and the 1st Earl of Leicester at Holkham Hall.