A PAIR OF CEYLONESE SPECIMEN-WOOD AND BONE-INLAID EBONY HEXAGONAL SIDE TABLES
AFTER THE DESIGN BY THOMAS KING, MID-19TH CENTURY
Important information about this lot
Price Realised GBP 7,500
Estimate
GBP 7,000 - GBP 10,000
Estimates do not reflect the final hammer price and do not include buyer's premium, any applicable taxes or artist's resale right. Please see the Conditions of Sale for full details.
Closed: 25 Feb 2021
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A PAIR OF CEYLONESE SPECIMEN-WOOD AND BONE-INLAID EBONY HEXAGONAL SIDE TABLES
This lot is offered by Christie Manson & Woods Ltd
Christie Manson & Woods Ltd
8 King Street, St. James's, London, SW1Y 6QT, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Fax: +44 (0)20 7839 2869
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Lot Essay
The design for these tables is taken from Thomas King’s The Modern Style of Cabinet Work Exemplified, pl. 14, first published in 1829 (A. Jaffer, Furniture from British India and Ceylon, 2001, p.372), although the carved ornament is influenced by local Ceylonese tradition. Ceylonese models are distinguishable from their European counterparts by the introduction of a specimen wood top, decoration unique to the Galle district, and for the absence of a suspended pouch for needlework. Renowned for sophisticated craftsmanship, the inlaying of specimen woods from the Galle district was considered to surpass any specimen of English Tunbridge ware. Early references to these tables appear in the second quarter of the 18th century, but their popularity ensured that they continued to be made into the early 20th century. Such tables were made for British colonists in Ceylon and India as well as for export to England.
A number of comparable tables with similar inlay of exotic woods and ivory are known, including one formerly at the Royal Commonwealth Society and another table which was on view at the Ceylon Court of the Paris Exhibition of 1855. A closely related table was sold Christie’s, London, 31 October 2012, lot 257 (£8,750 including premium)
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AFTER THE DESIGN BY THOMAS KING, MID-19TH CENTURY A PAIR OF CEYLONESE SPECIMEN-WOOD AND BONE-INLAID EBONY HEXAGONAL SIDE TABLESEstimate: GBP 7,000 - 10,000
You have agreed to be bound by the Conditions of Sale and if your bid is successful, you are legally obliged to pay for the lot you have won. The purchase price for a successful bid will be the sum of your final bid plus a buyer’s premium, any applicable taxes and any artist resale royalty, exclusive of shipping-related expenses.
Condition report
A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.
The condition of lots can vary widely and the nature of the lots sold means that they are unlikely to be in a perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.
Each table with some surface marks, nicks, and scratches, consistent with age and handling. With some signs of shrinkage and movement cracks, as to be expected. There are losses to the inlaid parquetry banding to both tops, with greater loss to the areas framing the rosette to one table. This top with signs of wear and loss to the varnish, including a small area of 'bubbling' and minor flaked loss (approximately 2 in. in diameter). The base to this table with some further wear to the varnish. The underside of the top to each with shrinkage, including a break to a narrow section of baseboard, off but retained. The underside to one table with remnants of a paper label marked 'ebony table [?]'. There are no keys. Structurally secure and ready to place.
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Lot 19Sale 20039
AFTER THE DESIGN BY THOMAS KING, MID-19TH CENTURY A PAIR OF CEYLONESE SPECIMEN-WOOD AND BONE-INLAID EBONY HEXAGONAL SIDE TABLESEstimate: GBP 7,000 - 10,000
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