Breakfast table
manner of Thomas Chippendale (Otley 1718 - London 1779)
Category
Furniture
Date
1755 - 1765
Materials
Mahogany, oak and deal construction
Measurements
71.5 x 62 x 59.5 cm; 24 cm (Width)
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Blickling Hall, Norfolk (Accredited Museum)
NT 354825
Summary
A mahogany drop leaf breakfast table, in the manner of Thomas Chippendale, London circa 1760 The hinged top above a blind fret work carved frieze on square section legs set at the corner angle and headed by leaf carved paterae and terminating on block feet. Tied by a pierced X stretcher with geometric heart design.
Full description
see Thomas Chippendale, The Gentleman & Cabinet-Maker's Director 1762 plate LIII for a similar design with a pierced X stretcher and 'canted feet'. These tables were often described as breakfast tables as they were used for that purpose when breakfast was taken in the bedroom rather than the dining room. Bearing the trade label of Frank Partridge. Founded in 1900 by the present Frank Partridge’s great grandfather, the business opened a gallery almost opposite Christie’s in King Street, dealing in the very finest English and French furniture and Chinese porcelain. When these premises were bombed in 1939 Frank Partridge Snr moved his business to the famous “Partridge” building opposite Sotheby’s in New Bond Street and in circa 1912 opened a shop in New York, on Fifth Avenue. During this period, Partridge’s received the Royal Warrant as Purveyors of Fine Art to Queen Mary, a frequent visitor to the gallery. Records in the archive of the Burrell Collection show that one of Partridge's earliest customers was the great art collector, William Hesketh Lever (1851-1925) the first Lord Leverhulme. Lord Lever (as he later became known) purchased Chinese porcelain and furniture from Partridge for over twenty years. Another important early client was Philip Kerr, the 11th Marquess of Lothian. Lord Lothian and Partridge were friends and he helped to furnish Blickling Hall in the 1930s supplying a vast quantity of mainly English furniture. (James Weedon 2016)
Provenance
Part of the Lothian Collection. The hall and contents were bequeathed to the National Trust in 1940 by Philip, 11th Marquess of Lothian (1882-1940).
Marks and inscriptions
Under top of table: Frank Partridge, London & New York
Makers and roles
manner of Thomas Chippendale (Otley 1718 - London 1779) , furniture designer and maker
References
Chippendale, Thomas, The gentleman and cabinet-maker's director:, M DCC LXII 1762, plate LIII