Pier table
William Ince & John Mayhew (fl. 1759-99)
Category
Furniture
Date
circa 1782 - 1783
Materials
Giltwood, satinwood, harewood, tulipwood, marquetry of various stained, shaded and engraved woods, brass
Measurements
88 x 194.5 x 94 cm
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Chirk Castle, Wrexham
NT 1170735.2.1
Summary
A pier table, ormolu-mounted satinwood, harewood, marquetry and parcel-gilding, one of a pair, attributed to William Ince & John Mayhew (fl. 1759-99), cabinet-makers of London, circa 1782-3, part of a set with a pair of pier glasses (NT 1170735.1.1 & .1.2) and part of a larger group of furniture (including NT 1170733.1-.17 [seat furniture] and NT 1170734.1 - .4 [torchères] supplied for the Saloon at Chirk Castle. The ormolu to the edge of the top possibly by Matthew Boulton (1728-1809). The semi-circular top inlaid with a leafy half-patera within a border of entrelac and a band of water leaf tips in a shaded fan-shaped surround with scalloped edge and an outer border of four-petalled flowers, the tip of each scallop tipped by a double calyx flower. The top’s ground inlaid with stained, shaded and engraved marquetry swags of summer flowers suspended from ribbon bows. The outer border scalloped, tipped by palmettes and inlaid with a band of husks, all within an edge crossbanded in tulipwood. The top's edge fitted with a gilt brass mount of ribbon-tied reeds. The base’s frieze suspending swags of husks, and carved with fluting spaced by floral paterae and palmettes over the four leaf-capped block- and baluster-turned fluted legs with tapering block feet.
Full description
Associated with Chirk Castle
Provenance
Amongst the chattels that, in 1978, were acquired along with Chirk Castle from Lt-Col Ririd Myddelton (1902–1988) by the National Land Fund and handed, on loan for 99 years, to the Secretary of State for Wales. In 1981 Chirk was transferred into the ownership of the National Trust. On loan to the Trust from Guy Charles Myddelton. Gifted to Guy C. Myddelton from Captain David Myddelton in 2010. Purchased by the National Trust from Mr Guy Myddelton in 2023.
Marks and inscriptions
Underside: '1942' (indicating movement of tables during the War) and 'Marlborough Bedr 4314'
Makers and roles
William Ince & John Mayhew (fl. 1759-99), cabinetmaker possibly Matthew Boulton (Birmingham 1728 - Birmingham 1809), founder
References
Roberts, H. and Cator, C., Industry and Ingenuity: The Partnership of William Ince and John Mayhew (PWP, London, 2022), pp. 211-213; Figs. 34, 502 & 503