Serving table
manner of Thomas Hope
Category
Furniture
Date
circa 1810
Materials
Mahogany, brass
Measurements
82 x 152.5 x 55.5 cm
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Belton House, Lincolnshire
NT 434991.2
Summary
One of a pair of mahogany side tables or serving tables, after a design by Thomas Hope (1769-1831), furniture designer, London, circa 1810.Each with a rectangular top and band frieze, raised on moulded and reeded 'D shaped' end supports with waisted scrolled brackets, joined by a shelf stretcher held by turned supports. Turned feet and brass socket castors.Originally with a brass rail gallery at the back of the table.
Full description
These tables are taken from a design for a tea table, published in Hope's 'Household Furniture and Interior Decoration' in 1807 (plate 22 nos.1&2) and reflect the work of the pre-eminent designer in the early 19th century. Hope was greatly influenced by his extensive Grand Tour travels across Europeand his Duchess Street home became the showcase for his vision of antiquity across different cultures, also incorporating Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Indian elements. Hope officially opened his home in 1802 to visitors, and the Prince of Wales made an appearance at the grand opening. Hope went on to publish his designs in 1807 with full measurements as a way to encourage accurate imitation of his work. His publication was notable for the manner in which it represented furniture designs in outline only, eliminating any sense of depth, shadow, or stylistic contrasts. Hope’s decision to depict his designs in this way reflects his fundamental allegiance to the Neo-classical aesthetic. James Weedon (August 2018)
Provenance
Purchased with a grant from the National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) from Edward John Peregrine Cust, 7th Baron Brownlow, C. St J. (b.1936) in 1984.
Makers and roles
manner of Thomas Hope, designer Thomas Hope, author
References
Hope, Thomas - Household Furniture and Interior Decoration 1807, plate 22