Furniture

An important Regency pollard oak and mulberry oyster-veneered circular tip-top centre table of historical literary interest, the top with 52 oyster-veneered panels of mulberry wood, purportedly from the mulberry tree that grew in William Shakespeare’s garden in Stratford-upon-Avon, each piece representing a year of the Bard’s life, the crossbanded border with an applied period brass plaque, engraved with the table’s provenance, the flared triform pedestal with finely carved edging and terminating in a triform platform issuing downswept scrolling feet, height 74cm, diameter 135cm (minor faults). Transcription of engraved brass plaque: “This table known in the family as ‘Shakespeare’s’ table is formed of 52 pieces of Mulberry wood laid in local Oak having reference to the poet’s age at his decease. The Mulberry tree was well known at Stratford as Shakespeare’s Mulberry tree and grew in the gardens of a Mrs Besant or Bessant who occupied the larger house in which Shakespeare and his family lived. Whether the tree fell or was cut down is uncertain but of the wood two tables were made, one in the possession of Wm Hunt Esqr of Stratford and the other this belonging to the Revd Thos Higgins, to whose first wife it was bequeathed by her father, J. Mills Esqr of Billesley Hall, Stratford on Avon Co. Warwick by whom it was won in a raffle of 100 guineas.” Provenance: the Reverend Thomas Higgins and thence by descent to the current owner. Note: Shakespeare’s mulberry tree must be one of the most notorious trees in literary history. Thought to have been planted at his final home, New Place, Stratford-upon-Avon, in around 1609, when King James was encouraging the planting of mulberry trees across Britain to help build a domestic silk industry, the tree is believed to have been cut down in 1756, when the current owner of New Place, the Reverend Francis Gastrell, grew tired of tourists constantly visiting and asking to see the tree. Local carpenter Thomas Sharp bought much of the felled tree and many carved mementoes were made. After Sharp’s death the remaining stock was purchased by John Marshall, who continued making similar objects. Whole logs were also made available to selected cabinet makers. The other table mentioned on the brass plaque is almost certainly now within the collection of The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, along with provenance confirming that it was made for the Hunt family. See H. Blairman & Sons website for another table believed to have been veneered with the same wood.

A mid-19th century ebonized and boulle work jardinière table with a lift-off cover and tin liner, height 80cm, width 71cm, depth 42cm.

An impressive early Victorian rosewood marble-topped side cabinet of serpentine outline, the raised mirror back within a finely carved frame of a mythical winged beast and a serpent, the Diaspro Sicilia marble top bordered in slate above two drawers and a pair of mirrored doors, flanked by substantial carved cabriole supports, height 161cm, width 162cm, depth 72cm.

An Edwardian walnut two-tier revolving bookcase with a gilt brass gallery and iron mounted base, height 89cm, width 49cm.

A George III mahogany chest of two short and three long drawers, height 83cm, width 95cm, depth 51cm.

A mid-19th century French rosewood 'poudreuse' dressing table, finely inlaid in brass, pewter and mother-of-pearl with a scene of two figures within a garden to the top and foliate scrolls to the front apron, raised on gilt metal mounted cabriole legs, height 72cm, width 59cm, depth 42cm (faults).

A William IV mahogany extending dining table, the moulded edge top with drop-flaps to each end and a single extra leaf to the centre, raised on turned and fluted legs terminating in brass castors, height 72.5cm, extended length 181cm, unextended length 134cm, depth 113cm.

A late Victorian mahogany twin-pedestal campaign desk by Arthur Foley & Son of Salisbury, the galleried top with hinged corners above seven drawers with brass recessed handles, bearing maker's plaque and stamps, height 81cm, width 102cm, depth 56cm.

A Regency mahogany single pedestal sofa table, the drop-flap top above two oak-lined drawers flanking dummy drawers, raised on downswept sabre legs, height 70cm, unextended width 112cm, depth 65cm.

A George III mahogany demi-lune fold-over card table, the top crossbanded in tulipwood, the frieze inlaid with oval fan paterae, height 75cm, width 92cm, depth 45.5cm.

An Edwardian Neoclassical Revival mahogany and marquetry inlaid envelope card table, probably by Edwards & Roberts, finely inlaid with foliate scrolls, urns and seated griffons, height 73cm, width 61cm (faults).

A Regency rosewood work table, fitted with a single frieze drawer and basket slide, height 72cm, width 54cm, depth 40cm.

An early 18th century provincial oak dresser base, fitted with three frieze drawers above two doors, height 86cm, width 174cm, depth 49cm (alterations).

A late Victorian walnut three-tier buffet, fitted with two drawers, height 110cm, width 120cm, depth 48cm.

A Regency rosewood and gilt metal mounted chiffonier with beaded mouldings and yellow silk inset doors, height 124cm, width 122cm, depth 50cm.

An early 20th century reproduction mahogany glazed bookcase by Waring & Gillow Ltd, fitted with three glazed doors enclosing adjustable shelves, height 122cm, width 151cm, depth 41cm.

A George III mahogany chest of four graduated oak-lined drawers, height 80cm, width 80cm, depth 47cm (alterations).

A Regency mahogany and ebony line inlaid work and reading table, the hinged top above a drawer and basket slide, height 68cm, width 47.5cm, depth 37cm.

A George III mahogany night cupboard, the galleried top above a pair of doors, height 69cm, width 55cm, depth 36cm.