Lot 21 A fine Regency mahogany serving table in the manner of George Smith, with a decoratively figured...

A fine Regency mahogany serving table in the manner of George Smith, with a decoratively figured 'plum pudding' top of inverted breakfront form with ebony stringing, over two recessed plain frieze drawers and raised upon two leopard's head monopodiae forelegs with Smith's signature stylised knee carving, masculine moulded shins and terminating with claw feet, the rear legs being of square tapered scrolling form and having acanthus decoration to the top and terminating in scroll and ball feet, 82cm high, 145cm wide, 76cm deep.

Provenance: The St. George's Collection. Former property of Sir Terence Sydney Airey KCMG, Fritton Old Rectory, Fritton, Norfolk. Sir Terence was Allied Commander and Governor of Trieste 1947-1951, Commander British Forces in Hong Kong 1952-1954. Bought by the 2006 vendor from T C S Brooke BADA Dealer of Wroxham who acquired the table in 1984. These historical notes were provided by our 2006 vendor client when selling items removed from his home at Clemont Hall, Little Cressingham, Norfolk. This table was acquired as lot 580 at Golding Young on 2nd August 2006. The result of this sale at £13,500 was reported on the front cover of the Antiques Trade Gazette issue 1752.

The design: The design of this table includes component parts from a collection of designs for household furniture and interior decoration in the most approved and elegant taste by George Smith Upholsterer Extraordinary to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, published in 1808. The most striking feature is the monopodia leg with a leopards head that reflects designs "after the antique", prevalent in England from the end of the 18thC and the beginning of the 19thC. The use of monopodia was sketched in Charles Heathcote Tathams Etchings of Ancient Rome Ancient Ornamental Architecture drawn from originals in Rome ..1794-6, published in 1801. Smith made extensive use of classical forms in his furniture along with Tatham's etchings and of course the influence of Thomas Hope with his Household Furniture and Interior Decoration 1807 ensures his works were at the height of Regency taste, of which the quality and elegance of execution remains one of the most desirable areas of furniture collected today.

Smith makes particular and extensive use of animal monopodiae on pieces ranging from tables and sideboards to chairs.

There are many reference points for Smiths monopodia icons, including a daybed sold by Christies, contents of Sheringham Hall, Norfolk, 22-23 October 1986 and more recently a pair of library bergere chairs at Bonhams, Lot 109, Wednesday 4th June 2014, in the Fine English Furniture, Sculpture & Works of Art sale with provenance from Wentworth Castle.