A fine Victorian parcel-gilt satinwood centre table, attributed to Holland & Sons, circa 1860, with figured circular tilt-top on a baluster stem and tripod base carved with foliage, 74cm high, 142cm diameter Provenance: The Dukes of Leeds, Hornby Castle, YorkshirePossibly acquired by Sir George Godolphin Osborne, 8th Duke of Leeds (1802-72), for the principal family seat, Hornby Castle, North YorkshireThis table can be ascribed to Holland & Sons, one of the largest and most prestigious cabinet-making firms in the 19th century, based on a number of stylistic attributes; the superb choice of timbers, the figuring of the satinwood tilt-top, the fine foliate giltwood carving and the distinctive giltwood borders. Holland & Sons were known for their diversity of style - in the mid-1860s, supplying furniture in the fashionable 'Louis XVI-style', such as the table offered here, but also making 'Elizabethan' furniture, neo-Gothic and furniture inspired by Robert Adam, Sheraton and Chippendale (S. Jervis, 'Holland & Sons, and the furnishing of the Athenaeum', Furniture History, 1970, p. 46). First established in 1815 as Taprell & Holland at 25 Great Pulteney Street, London, the firm was renamed Holland & Sons in 1843 when William Holland, a founding member, and probably related to George IV's architect-designer, Henry Holland, took over the firm. In the 1850s, William was replaced by his son, James Holland, and the firm moved to 19 Marylebone Street and Ranelagh Works, Lower Belgrave Street, and from 1852, 23 Mount Street. They exhibited at all the major international exhibitions, including London 1851, Paris 1855, London 1862 and Paris 1867; for example, at the 1862 London International Exhibition, they exhibited a fine marquetry and gilt-bronze centre table veneered with tulipwood, kingwood, New Zealand spicewood, boxwood and purple heart to a design by a 'Mr. Rosenberg' that included engravings by Old Masters, all centred by a spider's web in silver and ivory (J. Meyer, Great Exhibitions: London, Paris, New York, Philadelphia 1851-1900, Woodbridge, 2006, p. 122). The firm worked on the interiors of several of the London gentlemen's clubs, the Army & Navy, the Athenaeum, the Carlton and the Reform. They undertook Royal commissions at Buckingham Palace, Osborne House and Windsor Castle, and were a major contractor for H.M. Works until circa 1852, including the Palace of Westminster. Other significant contracts were for the Great Western Railway and the Royal Academy of Arts. The firm employed many well-known, independent designers, Sir Charles Barry, Gottfried Semper and J.K. Collins. The Holland & Sons ledgers comprising 235 volumes dating from 1824 to 1942 and covering most of their major commissions are held in the Archive of Art & Design at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London.Hornby CastleThis table was possibly acquired by Sir George Godolphin Osborne, 8th Duke of Leeds (1802-72), for the principal family seat, Hornby Castle, North Yorkshire. Built in the 15th century as a fortified house, it was significantly remodeled by the architect John Carr of York, and probably James 'Athenian' Stuart, in the 1760s, for Robert Darcy, 4th Earl of Holdernesse. The mansion was altered to Classical proportions and regular, enlarged sash windows were installed combined with gothic architectural detailing. When the 4th Earl's only daughter, Amelia Darcy, married Francis Godolphin Osborne, Marquess of Carmarthan, and later 5th Duke of Leeds, a new family arrived at Hornby by inheritance, and the house became a ducal seat. Due to a series of important family relationships, Hornby Castle became a repository for a magnificent collection of Restoration furniture that embodied their glorious political past. The halcyon days of Hornby Castle were undoubtedly in this period but also in the early to mid-19th century when the 7th Duke of Leeds commissioned A.W.N. Pugin to prepare a set of drawings for the remodeling of Hornby Castle. Although never executed, Pugin submitted detailed plans on a grand scale for two floor of the castle courtyard, and perspective sketches for the rest.Condition Report: Marks, knocks, scratches and abrasions commensurate with age and use. Some old splits and chips. Gilt elements have been refreshed in areas. Gilding with some rubbing and small losses. Some evidence of old worm to undersides of legs. Please refer to additional images for visual reference to condition. Condition Report Disclaimer
