Pembroke table, English, 1780-1790, satinwood, painted

Satinwood, painted in grisaille with an oval medallion of flowers and bands of leaves, berries and ribbons. One drawer below top and dummy drawer in front. Straight tapering legs.

The Henry L. Florence Bequest

This was bequeathed to the Museum by Henry L. Florence, of Prince's Gate, SW7, as part of a collection of 31 piece of furniture (primarily English or French, but with some Asian pieces (W.55-1917 to W.85-1917). See Registered File 16/1351 on Nominal File MA/1/F792/2. There appears to be no earlier history of these tables, although they are of high quality.Henry Louis Florence VD (1843-1916) was an architect and members of the RIBA, serving as Vice-President from 1897 to 1899. He was a Fellow of the Geological Society and a Past Master of the Haberdashers' Company. He served in the Rifle Volunteers from 1871 to 1892 and retired with the rank of Lt. Col. As a young man he had studied in France. He began to practice in 1871, at first in partnership with Lewis Henry Isaacs (1830-1908). Florence designed many public buildings and hotels, mainly in London, and was responsible for the restoration of the Hall at Grays Inn. He was a collector who made monetary bequests to the National Gallery, the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum, in addition to bequeathing many items to the latter museum. He had houses at 9 Princes Gate, South Kensington an at 16 Royal Crescent, Bath, and an office at No. 3 Verulam Buildings, Grays Inn.

This came from the Morning Room at 9 Princes Gate, but nothing else is known of its history.

The table was lent to the National Trust at Berrington Hall, Worcestershire, from 1976.

On loan to Baysgarth House Museum.

W.73-1917