Beschreibung:

A REGENCY ROSEWOOD AND GILT BRASS MOUNTED DRUM LIBRARY TABLE POSSIBLY BY JOHN MCLEAN CIRCA 1820 The top wreathed by a receded ormolu ribbon above the frieze drawers fitted with stylised lion heads providing hinged handles, one drawer with plaque for 'ANTIQUE FURNITURE, from, NORMAN ADAMS LTD, 8-10, HANS ROAD, LONDON, S.W.3.' 74cm high, the top 98cm diameter Provenance: Norman Adams Ltd, London. The elegant craftsmanship stylistic qualities of this table typifies the high quality work of John McLean and Sons of Little Newport Street and Upper Marylebone Street, London. The firm were well known for their fusion of Grecian motifs and Parisian tastes of the period, as well as their use of black figured 'Grecian' rosewood and lavish cast and shaped brass mounts, all of which is exemplified in this table. A related table that was in the Norman Adams Collection and attributed to McLean was sold at Sotheby's, New York, 12th & 13th April 1985, Lot 205 ($35,750). For related rosewood drum tables attributed to John McLean incorporating a similar ormolu edge and mounts, see Christie's, London, Exceptional Furniture, 18th June 2008, Lot 2 (£109,250), and Christie's, London, Dealing in Excellence: A Celebration of Hotspur and Jeremy, 20th November 2008, Lot 20 (£181,250). For a related form table said to be in the manner of George Bullock see Christie's, London, Important English Furniture and Carpets, 23rd November 2006, Lot 62 (£45,600). Condition Report: Marks, scratches and abrasions, old chips and splits comensurate with age and use. Fading overall. Some old repairs. Some minor movement and indentation to metal mounts as expected for age and use. Some old vertical splits to the tapering stem, some have previously been filled and with wax filler to disguise previously. Some wear and loss to the gilding as expected for age. The lion mask handles in particular are a genuinely unusual and high quality feature. The drawer linings are solid mahogany throughout. The locks are all of the period. Two are stamped 'PATENT' whereas the others are not, so two locks may be period replacements. Some slight movement to the top where on area at the edge appears slightly raised. It should not be complicated for a restorer to resolve this. A very small number of small 'water' stains to the edge of the top and some marks and indentation to the leather as expected for age. The leather has age but is possibly a replacement but suits the appearance and design of the table extremely well. The top is fixed and does not revolve. This is original to the design/ making of the table and the connecting block between the top of the base and the underside of the top appears original. The dark/ black stain to the block and the underside of the top has age and was likely applied to 'tidy' the appearance. As the label to the drawer suggests, this table was retailed by Norman Adams Ltd previously. Please refer to the additional images for visual reference. Condition Report Disclaimer