George III Pair of Inlaid Etagere Side Tables
Stock No: 11342
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Country: England
Date: Circa 1795 - 1805
Medium: Mahogany
Fortnum and Mason of Piccadilly 1960s.<br /> <br />
Dimensions
Height: 72cm (28.35 inches)
Width: 59cm (23.23 inches)
Depth: 30cm (11.81 inches)
Main description
A most rare and unusual pair of mahogany inlaid etagere side tables dating from the late 18th to early 19th century.
The side tables with the crisply inlaid and penwork tops are of the highest quality and show figures playing musical instruments. The penwork and inlay decoration to the tops is very fine. The top galleries to the tables are hinged and are bordered with mahogany and ebonised mouldings supported on finely tapered trestle end supports. The trestle end supports are inlaid with medallions and capitals and support two further tiers that are centralised with oval floral inlaid plaques. The trestle end supports are inlaid and elegant and terminate on the original brass capped castors.
The tables are most unusual and have also been known to be called tricoteuse tables. The origin of tricoteuse is French and means a ‘knitting woman’. The term is most often used in its historical sense as a nickname for the women who sat beside the guillotine during public executions in Paris during the French Revolution, supposedly continuing to knit in between executions.
The tables were last bought and sold in the late 1960s and sold by Fortnum and Mason of Piccadilly when, at the time, Fortnum and Mason had an antiques department.
An interesting side effect of the constant fluctuations in taste and fashion in relation to the antiques trade was the emergence, and subsequent disappearance, of antiques departments in some slightly unexpected places.
Fortnum and Mason has long been a food lover’s destination but, in the post-war period, you could also expect to see a fine selection of antiques there. What is particularly interesting is that the firm concentrated on ‘moderate prices’ as the primary selling point. However, the beautifully laid-out gallery image above certainly leaves one in no doubt that, however ‘moderate’ the prices may have been, there were objects of real quality on sale.
Asprey and Harrods were also once very serious players on the London antiques scene. Both firms were members of the BADA (British Antiques Dealers Association) and exhibited at the celebrated Grosvenor House fair every year. They carried extensive stocks of furniture, textiles, silver, jewellery and porcelain etc. and traded at the very top of the market.
Asprey’s antiques department was the starting point for many celebrated dealers including silver specialist and Antiques Roadshow expert, Alastair Dickenson, who worked there between 1983 and 1996.
Even Debenham and Freebody had an antiques department which specialised in textiles. They housed some incredible examples of needlework, including one piece possibly worked by Mary Queen of Scots
View the complete Freshfords Table collection.
What Is Mahogany?
Mahogany is one of the most important and widely used hardwoods in the history of antique furniture. Celebrated for its strength, stability and rich colouring, it became the defining cabinet making timber of the Georgian, Regency and Victorian periods, appearing in everything from dining tables and bookcases to chests of drawers and library furniture.
For further information, see our Woods encyclopaedia on Mahogany.
What Is the George III Period?
The George III period (1760–1820) is widely regarded as one of the finest periods of English furniture making. Influenced by designers such as Thomas Chippendale, George Hepplewhite and Thomas Sheraton, furniture from the period is recognised for its elegant proportions, high quality cabinet making and the widespread use of mahogany, satinwood and other fine timbers.
For further information, see our Antique Furniture Periods encyclopaedia on the Georgian Period.
Why Buy From Freshfords Antiques?
Established in 1987, Freshfords Antiques has spent nearly four decades sourcing and curating the finest examples of English antique furniture. Our reputation is built upon a deep-rooted specialism in the Georgian and Regency periods, where we focus on selecting pieces that retain their genuine age, original patination, and unimpeachable authenticity. We believe that an antique should not only be a significant historical object but also a functional and beautiful addition to a contemporary home.
As proud members of the British Antique Dealers’ Association (BADA), we operate under a rigorously enforced code of conduct that prioritises professional integrity and expertise. Membership of BADA is only granted after a thorough election procedure and is subject to annual review, ensuring that our clients can purchase with complete confidence. When you acquire a piece from Freshfords, you are benefiting from a wealth of experience, a dedication to craftsmanship, and a commitment to preserving the heritage of the finest English cabinet making.
