A fine Victorian pollard oak centre table, in the manner of Bridgens

A fine Victorian pollard oak centre table, in the manner of Bridgens, the circular top with radiating flame veneers set upon a cluster of pillars, flanked by four large C-scroll supports enclosing S-scroll openwork panels, all on a cruciform base with bun feet. English, circa 1870.

Footnote: This fine centre table is executed in beautifully mellowed pollard oak of a particularly glorious colour.  Although it has not been possible to find an exact design source for this piece this is not unusual as, in the 19^th century, fashions moved very quickly and there were many excellent designers working on their own alternative versions of classic pieces of furniture.  With its particularly elegant and light proportions, this table brings to mind the work of Richard Bridgens, co-designer with George Bullock of some of the most refined furniture of the early part of the 19^th century such as much of the gothic furniture at Sir Walter Scott’s Abbotsford.  Bridgens’ only published work Furniture with Candelabra and Interior Decoration (published in 1838) illustrates only a small number of designs, but these are sufficient to show the taste of the designer.