Card table
attributed to T & G Seddon
Category
Furniture
Date
circa 1820
Materials
Rosewood, turned and carved, mahogany, satinwood, brass castors, baize
Measurements
74.0 x 92.0 x 46.0 cm
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Nostell Priory, West Yorkshire
NT 959304
Summary
A rosewood fold-over card table, with mechanical action, attributed to T & G Seddon of London, circa 1820. The rectangular hinged top lined to the interior above banded friezes and raised on end supports, each of a pair of reeded, ring-turned and acanthus-carved columns on divergent supports inlaid on both sides with anthemion, fitted with square brass caps and castors. The legs mechanized and moving when the top is open so that four people, rather than two when the top is closed, could sit at the table in comfort.
Full description
Attributed to T & G Seddon on the basis of the table's ingenious mechanism, which is a feature of similar tables bearing T & G Seddon trade labels. This thoughtful and inventive design was typical of the firm's output. The firm of Geroge Seddon existed in various manifestations between 1753 and 1868 and was one of London's leading furniture producers in the later part of the 18th century. George and Thomas Seddon received a Royal Warrant in 1832. The firm's move from Aldersgate Street to Grays Inn Road is thought to have taken place around the same time. The firm was plagued by financial problems beginning with Morel and Seddon's difficulties in extracting payment relating to works undertaken at Windsor Castle.
Provenance
Purchased by the National Trust by private treaty sale from Lord St Oswald in 2010.
Makers and roles
attributed to T & G Seddon, cabinet maker