Console table
Category
Furniture
Date
1773
Materials
Dalbergia cearensis, Dalbergia nigra, Gilt, Kingwood [dalbergia cearensis], Rosewood [dalbergia nigra], Satinwood, Wood
Measurements
925 x 1250 x 900 mm
Order this imageCollection
Basildon Park, Berkshire
NT 266672.1
Caption
This is one of a pair of gilt console tables with exquisite marquetry tops. Each is supported by females figures based on those on the Erechtheum on the Acropolis in Athens. When the Iliffes bought Basildon in the early 1950s, many owners of country houses had fallen on hard times and were forced to sell the contents of their mansions. The Iliffes were able to benefit from these sales in their effort to find period furniture to furnish their recently restored home. This pair of console tables wasorginally from Brockenhurst Park in Hampshire, which was demolished in 1960.
Summary
One of a pair of giltwood and marquetry console tables, the semi-eliptical tops finely inlaid in various woods with bold semi-circular panels with leaf and foliage radiating sections and chain and rosette pattern borders. The wide surrounds with ribband ties suspending husk festoons, anthemion medallions and arabesque foliage on satinwood grounds. The wide borders similarly inlaid on rosewood ground within stained green-wood bands and kingwood cross-grained borders. Giltwood frieze with applied anthemion medallions and scrolling foliage in low relief on a matted ground. Four carved carytid supports adapted from Portico of the Erechtheion, Athens, surmounted by Ionic capitals and with ebonised rectangular plinths.
Provenance
Brockenhurst Park, Hampshire; Lord and Lady Iliffe, Basildon Park, Berkshire; purchased by the National Trust, 1978