Mahogany writing table with two candle slides, fretwork decoration and half-lapped lower stretcher pierced with lattice work

Mahogany writing table with a gallery around three sides, a cross-stretcher joining the legs, and two candle slides. The table top is of book-matched, finely figured mahogany. There are three small repair patches in the top. The table has serpentine sides and is surrounded on the back and sides with a fretted gallery. The shorter two sides feature a simple gothic style pattern, while the back is possibly later with a more intricate Chinoiserie fretwork.

The table frame and legs were probably made up later to support the mid-18th century table top. There are differences in the colour of the wood and in the quality of the carving between the table top and the frame and legs. Supporting the table frame there are four cast iron angle-brackets screwed into two diagonal cross supports which appear to be original to the frame. The wooden frame does not appear to be strong enough to support the top without the iron brackets. There are two sliding leaves for candles which pull out from underneath the table top, which also appear to have been added at a later date, possibly when the frame was made.

The four tapering octagonal legs have low relief running ornamentation down the visible sides. Small brass casters are recessed into the hollow feet.

The stretcher is half-lapped with two flat pieces of mahogany which cross diagonally. The central cross-section is pierced with lattice work in a 'swastika' design. The stretcher might not be original to the table frame as its ends where it meets the legs are wider than the legs themselves. The stretcher is tenoned into the legs by metal brackets. There are mortise holes in the legs possibly from an earlier stretcher.

Bequeathed to the Museum by Lady C. J. C. Wilson-Todd

After the death on her husband, Lady Wilson-Todd of Halnaby Hall, Darlington contacted the V&A in October 1925 enquiring whether the museum would be interested in selecting items from their collection, which she would bequeath to the museum. Oliver Brackett, a curator in the Woodwork department visited the property and reported that Halnaby Hall dated from the time of Charles I. It had previously belonged to the Milbanke family and Lord Byron who married a Milbanke spend his honeymoon there. In 1842 the estate was sold and purchase by Mr. Todd of Hull and has been in his family up to the present date. Mr Brackett believed that many items originally belonged to the Milbanke family. Brackett drew up a list of pieces which he considered ‘important’ and ‘unrepresented in the museum’. On 22 February 1949 the museum took receipt of 22 items, including this mahogany table.

The table top, table frame and legs, and stretcher appear to be made at three different periods.

18th century cabinet makers used the term 'tea table' to describe small tables, either circular or rectangular, with a gallery around the top to prevent tea cups from sliding off. This example appears on examination to have an original mahogany top, but a replacement frame and legs. The finely figured mahogany surface was evidently considered sufficiently beautiful and valuable to merit a new supporting frame and a replacement section of gallery being made.

This object is on loan to Sewerby Hall.

W.24-1949