Sworders
Lot 211
A Regency mahogany 'Edwards Patent' dining table,with concertina action, three additional leaves and drop-leaf ends, on standard end supports with embossed brass labels, downswept legs, brass paw feet and castors, the three leaves supported on two central turned legs, the brass plaques read 'Edwards Patent Ne Plus Ultra Dieu Et Mon Droit',269cm long maximum58cm long minimum122cm wide72cm highProvenance: The Peter and Pat Crofts Collection.Literature: Christopher Gilbert, 'Pictorial Dictionary of Marked London Furniture 1700-1840', 1996, this table is illustrated on pp.188,189. At the time of publishing, there were no other examples of patent furniture by this maker.With accompanying letter from the photographer John Stabler regarding the inclusion of this table in Gilbert's 'Pictorial Dictionary of Marked London Furniture 1700-1840', dated 18 June 1993.D Edwards, maker, active first half of the 19th century. Possibly the same D Edwards based at 84 St James’s Street, London and then 21 King Street, Bloomsbury, London, known for their fashionable writing and dressing cases, and the inventor of patent campaign and military travelling writing cases. He was appointed supplier to the Royal family in 1813 until his death in 1848.This form of concertina action expanding table has been referred to as a 'Cumberland-action' table. The first table of this type was supposedly made for Henry Frederick, Duke of Cumberland, fourth son of Frederick, Prince of Wales and brother of George III. Resident at Cumberland Lodge, Windsor, he was a patron of John Linnell in the mid-1770s, so it is possible that he was the first recipient of a sophisticated design which is a development of the double gateleg table, adapted so that the legs spread the weight without obstructing people sitting at it.Condition report: The leaves appear to be original.Overall condition good.Only 2 chips present.Old worm to concertina action.Heavy scratches to underside of leaves.Some surface marks and will need attention of a good cabinet maker - see pics.
