Loveday Antiques Ltd

Description

An Exceptional Boulle and Ormolu Mounted Games Table in the French Louis XVI style attributed to Thomas Parker (active 1805-1830)

English Circa 1825

Conceived in the most luxurious taste possible, this fine piece is an example of the Francophile tastes of a small circle of connoisseur collectors closely related to King George IV himself who was the figurehead of this particular artistic movement.

The table is conceived in the French Louis XIV style with shaped cabriole legs and a broadly rectangular top with mother of pearl inlaid chest board, all acting as the background upon which to utilise magnificent ormolu mounts, red ground boulle work and inlaid mother of pearl. The mask mounts on the piece presumably show Bacchus, indicating that these pieces were designed for pleasure and fun-appropriate for gaming tables. The contra partie boulle work is of the highest possible quality-the brasswork inlaid with delicacy and skill and with very little damage or wear and the mother of pearl bright and lustrous. The sabot mounts are also of exquisite quality with their hoof feet lending the table an even more exotic edge.

This table belongs to a select group of pieces of this same design which are all believed to have been supplied by the Parker family of cabinetmakers based in London. A nearly identical table to the present example, but in poor condition and in need of large amounts of restoration, was sold at Sotheby's on the 28th of March 2017 lot 435 realising £28,750 and is believed to have been supplied to the Marquess of Lothian at Newbattle Abbey in Midlothian. Another example in premier partie was in the collection of Butchoff Antiques, London. The attribution of these tables to the Parker family is based upon a series of pieces supplied to King George IV when Prince Regent at Carlton House, some of which are still in the Royal Collection today.






Thomas Parker was established at 19 Air Street, Piccadilly from 1808-17 and then at 22 Warwick Street, Golden Square from 1817-27 and finally at 32 Warwick Street until 1830 after which date the firm closed. The Prince Regent favoured the firm as Parker supplied him with a pair of caskets-on-stands for Carlton House in January 1813 (see P. van Duin, 'Two Pairs of Boulle caskets on stands by Thomas Parker, Furniture History, 1989, pp. 214-217 for the companion pair at Woburn Abbey) a pair of drum tables in April 1814 at a cost of £315 (Carlton House: The Past Glories of George IV's Palace, 1991, p. 108) and a second pair of drum tables in 1817 costing £210. The gilt bronze mounts to the frieze on the present table relate closely to mounts of the pair of drum tables supplied to the Prince Regent. The figural mounts to the top of each leg are also very similar to those mounted on a pair of bureau plat attributed to Parker (one sold Christie's, New York, 17 May 2006, lot 46).

This table is offered in exceptional condition have been through the hands of a museum conservator.

Loveday Antiques is a family run business originally established since 1969 in London. Now in its second generation, Loveday Antiques specialises in an eclectic mix of 18th to 20th Century European furniture and works of art, with a strong emphasis on quality, uniqueness and colour.

As proud members of LAPADA, the largest association for professional art and antique dealers in the United Kingdom and members of CINOA, the worldwide association for antique dealers you can buy from us with 100% confidence and reassurance as we are committed to upholding and abiding by the strict standards of each association.
Our clients can rest assured that each item is as described and photographed.

All Items are sold with 100% satisfaction 14 day money back guarantee, return delivery will be charged for.

FREE UK MAINLAND SHIPPING INCLUDED WITHIN THE PRICE.
(possible surcharge for remote areas of Wales and Scotland)

Delivery within the mainland UK will usually be with 7 to 14 days but please allow up to 28 days. We also ship worldwide with a professional bespoke crating service and large International couriers via air and sea to almost all locations. Please contact us at Loveday Antiques with your full postal address for a very competitive quote.

GOODS
All items listed are in excellent condition having been restored using traditional methods by experienced cabinet makers and polishers keeping the original colour and patina wherever possible.
Please bear in mind you may find the usual markings with antique furniture that are commensurate with age which all add to beauty and uniqueness of the item.

VIEWINGS
We have a reputation for being long established antique dealers in London having had showrooms concurrently running in Islington, Chelsea and Ascot. We have relocated our new showroom, due to London overheads, easily reached between A1 or A10 to just outside of Hertford, Hertfordshire.
We will happily arrange for clients to be collected travelling via train. Local stations being Hertford North, Stevenage and Ware, all being a 10 minute drive from us.

Please contact us for location and appointments.

Telephone 01438 869 819

Email info@lovedayantiques.co.uk

Payments accepted are Bank Transfer, Cheque, Major Credit Cards or Cash.

Opening Times
Monday to Saturday 9.00am - 5.30pm Please email or call beforehand to make an appointment.
If outside of these times again please call to make an appointment

We have more than 40 years experience in supplying Antique furniture to the trade, public and interior designers from all parts of the world so please buy with confidence as we have passed the test of time.