Writing table
John McLean & Son
Category
Furniture
Date
circa 1810
Materials
Rosewood, boxwood, ebonised wood, paint, brass, giltwood, leather, oak drawer linings
Measurements
69 x 94 x 60 cm
Place of origin
Tottenham Court Road
Order this imageCollection
Berrington Hall, Herefordshire
NT 617708
Summary
A rosewood, ebonised and brass-mounted writing table, attributed to John McLean & Son, circa 1810. The rectangular top inset with leather and with a three-quarter brass gallery, the boxwood-lined friezes applied with brass anthemion mounts and containing two drawers, raised on ebonised and reeded X-shaped end supports with giltwood collars and joined by a parcel-gilt stretcher, standing on castors.
Full description
Although this table is not labelled, it is possible to make the attribution to John McLean & Son by comparing it to a similar table in the National Trust collections at Saltram which does have a label (NT 871334). The outline of the two tables is the same and both have the distinctive reeded X-shaped support. The gilt collars are very similar, although on one table they are in wood and on the other in metal. The understated but unusual shape to the frieze rails is also similar. A further two similar tables have been recorded and are illustrated in C. Gilbert, 'Pictorial Dictionary of Marked London Furniture 1700-1840', Furniture History Society / Maney 1996, as plate 599 and in 'Furniture History', Volume XIV, 1978, as plate 43A. This eminent firm of cabinet makers had a workshop in Little Newport Street from 1770-83 and was established at Upper Marylebone Street from 1790 until 1819 when it ceased trading. They also had premises in Pancrass Street, Tottenham Court Road until 1805. Some of their furniture is identified with labels. They frequently used rosewood and gilt brass mounts or inlay.
Provenance
Gifted to the National Trust by Miss Susan Cokayne in 1984.
Makers and roles
John McLean & Son, cabinetmaker
References
Gilbert (1996): Christopher Gilbert, Pictorial Dictionary of Marked London Furniture 1700 - 1840 (1996), Plate 599 Furniture History Society (Great Britain), Furniture History., 1965-, Vol XIV 1978 plate 43A