A pair of gilt-gesso side tables, in the manner of James Moore, one George I, circa 1720, the other of a later date

The Hon. Anthony Cayzer, and by descent until sold;
Christie's London, Important English Furniture, 1 July 2004, lot 56 (£28,680 with premium)

The present tables relate to the output of the royal cabinet-maker James Moore (c. 1670-1726), who produced some of the finest gilt-gesso furniture of the early 18th century, although the strapwork and decorative motifs employed are heavily influenced by French designers including Bérain, Boulle and Le Pautre. Conceived as pier tables, the period example would originally have accompanied a mirror to form a bedroom apartment pier-set such as the silvered-gesso table bearing the arms of Meller supplied by John Belchier (d.1753) in 1723 for Erddig, Wales (R. Edwards and M. Jourdain, Georgian Cabinet-Makers, London, rev. ed., 1955, p.137, fig 31). For other related examples of gilt-gesso tables, see Adam Bowett, Early Georgian Furniture, 1715-1740, China, 2009, pp. 210-222.