Side table
attributed to William Linnell (1703-1763)
Category
Furniture
Date
circa 1741
Materials
Stained beech, marble
Measurements
92 x 189.5 x 91.5 cm
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Stourhead, Wiltshire
NT 731595
Summary
A stained beech and associated marble side table, attributed to William Linnell (1703-1763) London, circa 1741. The associated rouge marble top above a frieze carved in shallow relief with vitruvian scrolls and leaf decoration, raised on four twin scroll and leaf carved square section cabriole front legs headed by applied carved flower head medallions. The two back legs of similar form but not carved. Previously painted, now stripped and stained as mahogany. The table probably had a painted deal top, the marble is a later addition.
Full description
The attribution to Linnell comes from a bill dated to September 1742 where two tables were provided by the Linnell workshop and described as 'six legged tables' they were painted as this one seems to have been and were supported upon four square cut bracket-shaped legs in front, set in pairs and two at the back, placed at each end. A photograph dated June 1900 (NT 732423) shows a painted side table in the dining room at Stourhead which is very similar in design. The detail is unclear although it appears to have a carved applied garland below the frieze which may have been removed sometime after the photo was taken and possibly when the paint was removed. There is a strong connection between the Hoare family and the Linnell brothers, William supplied a 'whist table' for Hoare in 1739 (NT 731655) which appears in a mid 19th century watercolour of the drawing froom at Wavendon House, Bucks, the table was later transferred to Stourhead with several other pieces of furniture and decoration including a sofa (NT731557) and a set of ten chairs (now nine) (NT597629) made for the sitting Room at Wavendon. Several other bills exist between Hoare and the Linnells for mirrors and decoration. See also DEF Vol.3 p.125 for a table of almost identicle form, save the frieze, from Ragley Hall, there is no attribution to this table. A similar table formed part of the Samuel Messer collection, sold by Christie's in 1991 lot 126. There are certain similarities including the carving to the top of the legs and the overall form which is derived from the designs of William Kent (d.1748). This example is loosely attributed to John Linnell. Another example with similar features is with Ronald Phillips Ltd, Bruton Street, London. This table is also very close in design and form having a Greek key frieze rather than the Vitruvian scroll. This example is mahogany and originally had a brass gallery to the top. James Weedon (February 2018)
Provenance
Possibly supplied to Wavendon House by William Linnell for Sir Henry Hoare. The house and contents given to the National Trust in 1946 by Sir Henry Hoare (d.1947)
Makers and roles
attributed to William Linnell (1703-1763), furniture maker
References
Weber, Susan 'Designing Georgian Britain' Yale 2013 Kirkman, Pat 'The careers of William and John Linnell' FHS