A rare 18th century George III period mahogany 'Spider Leg' side table or drop-leaf table, in the manner of ‘The Dumfries House Cabinet-Maker’. English or Scottish, circa 1780.

Why we like it

We love the elegant simplicity of this table, the unusual thinness of its components, which lend this design a very delicate look.

A number of related side tables in mahogany, attributed to ‘The Dumfries House Cabinet-Maker’, possibly Thomas Chippendale, was supplied circa 1760 to Lord Dumfries at Dumfries House, Scotland (illustrated). A further related table, distinguished by the superb quality of construction, is at Fenton House (NT 1448858).

Thomas Chippendale supplied ‘Two neat Mahogany Spider leg Tables of good wood’ to Sir Edwin Knatchbull for Mersham-le-Hatch in 1768. A further related table at The Vyne, Hampshire was described in the 1776 inventory as a ‘spider leg’ table (see R. Edwards, The Shorter Dictionary of English Furniture, London, 1964, p. 553, figs 18 & 19).

Literature

'Furniture at Temple Newsam House and Lotherton Hall' by Christopher Gilbert, Vol II, p. 366, no. 460

Dimensions

Width: 41cm / 16”
Depth: 76cm / 30”
Height: 72.5cm / 28.5”

Fully extended: 82.5cm / 32.5”
Top middle width: 37.5cm / 14.75”
Each flap: 22.5cm / 9”