POSSIBLY BY WRIGHT AND ELWICK, CIRCA 1770

This serving table may have been produced by the Wakefield partnership of Richard Wright and Edward Elwick, which flourished between 1747 and 1771. The incorporation of exotic timber in the medallions at the corners of the top is characteristic of their work. Archival records from the partnership note the difficulty of obtaining such woods. Further, an extensive documented commission for the Marquis of Rockingham at Wentworth Woodhouse includes many pieces of rare exotic timbers. Both Wright and Elwick subscribed separately to the first 1754 edition of The Director and the Wentworth commission revealed an adherence to Chippendale's Director design.
Established in 1747 by Richard Wright and Edward Elwick, this prolific partnership '[had] the honour to serve most of the Nobility & Gentry in the West and North Rideing' (G. Beard and C. Gilbert, eds., Dictionary of English Furniture-Makers 1660-1840, Leeds, 1986, pp. 1006-1008). In addition to the Marquis of Rockingham, records indicate that they received patronage from such distinguished clients as Sir Rowland Winn at Nostell Priory, the Duke of Norfolk at Worksop Manor, Viscount Irwin at Temple Newsam House and John Spencer at Cannon Hall.