Table
Category
Furniture
Date
1750 - 1799
Materials
Ebonized deal, glass
Measurements
72 x 73.5 x 48.5 cm
Collection
Carlyle's House, London
NT 263499
Summary
An ebonized table, English, second half 18th century, the moulded top filled with a glass panel, above a frieze with shaped apron to all sides, a keyhole to the front frieze, the interior-well lined with purple velvet, on four cabriole legs with scroll ears and terminating in claw-and-ball feet, probably adapted from a tea or dressing table to a display table
Provenance
In Robert Tait's 1857 painting 'The Chelsea Interior', this table is quite probably that which can be seen to the rear ground of the painting in the small room known as the China Closet. A reference to 'A little black table with bow-shaped legs ("claw-and-ball" feet) was placed along the east wall..' being located within the China Closet is included in the 'Illustrated Memorial Volume of the Carlyle's House Purchase Fund Committee', produced by the Carlyle' House Memorial Trust in 1896, p. 46. This volume also contains an illustration on p. 51, the table included in the illustrated image bearing a very close resemblance to the table currently in the Cheyne Row house. Sotheby & Co., London, 'Catalogue of Printed Books....Furniture, &c. Formerly The Property of Thomas Carlyle, 1795-1881, And now sold by order of the executors of his nephew, Alexander Carlyle, 13 & 14 June 1932', lot 306. It is possible that the table referred to in the lot description is the current Cheyne Row table. Date of re-entry to the house unknown.