A Regency Period Mahogany Sideboard Table Attributed to John Bellerby - Apter-Fredericks Antique Furniture, Dining Furniture Dealer

The shaped top is of curved breakfront design and as an inlaid ebony line tracing the shape. The frieze is decorated with panels of figured mahogany and has a single drawer in the centre. The front four legs headed by a lion mask on six square tapering and fluted legs terminating in paw feet.

Particularly noteworthy features indicative of the quality of this sideboard table include the carefully selected flame-figured veneers along the frieze and the boldly carved lion masks and paw feet. Another unusual feature is the addition of the turned balls at the head of each flute on the legs of the table.

A large sideboard with panelled frieze and on similar legs was supplied to James Fox (d.1821) of Bramham Park, Yorkshire, almost certainly by John Bellerby (1782-1827) of Mickleby, York. The sideboard is thought to correspond to an invoice for £21 that survives in Leeds Central Library.

DESIGN
The table can be compared to designs by a number of Regency designers. In particular, a design by Thomas Sheraton featured in Plate 32 of his 1804 edition of Encyclopedia, draws many striking resemblances to the present table as does a design by George Smith in A Collection of Designs for Household Furniture (1808) Plate 92.