A Fine and Important 19 th Century Giltwood Side Table in the Irish George II Paladian Style

A highly interesting late 19th century side table in the Palladian taste, specific elements of the design and decoration suggesting that the piece was made in the Irish style and possibly manufactured in a workshop in that country. The table has a finely carved central lion mask, surrounded by foliage scrolls and flower heads. The knees of the table similarly carved and the legs, of typical Irish form, with finely carved paw feet. The frieze of the table ornamented with a fine Greek key design, a motif that was particularly favoured in the Palladian period.

The table retains its original sienna marble top and is of imposing size. A table with real presence and decorative appeal.

This fine and imposing side table is of late 19th century date but in the Palladian style. Specific elements of the decoration suggest that the piece was based on surviving Irish tables. The finely carved sunflowers on the knees, the form of the central lion mask and the largely square-sectioned legs with paw feet are all found on Irish pieces from the relevant period. See for example a pair of giltwood tables made for Malahide Castle and pictured in Country Life, 25th of April 1947, p. 761 fig. 4

(the Malahide tables)

It is also useful to compare our piece with another Irish piece, this time in mahogany, pictured in Frederick S. Robinson’s English Furniture, 1905, plate CVI, illustrated below. Again the form of much of the carved ornament is closely comparable and suggests that our table was made in this style, possibly by an Irish workshop of the period or for an Irish home to match an existing 18th century table.