A Fine Pair of Harewood And Inlaid Side Tables by William Gates
We recently had the good fortune to visit the Queens' Gallery at Buckingham Palace, an absolute treasure chest of a very select number of the finest of Eighteenth century furniture, porcelain, clocks, paintings etc from the Royal Collection.
Amongst the exceptional pieces were a bookcase by William Vile, a carved giltwood settee by Thomas Chippendale, ormolu and blue john candle vases by Matthew Boulton and, of particular significance to us, a pair of commodes by William Gates.
There can be nothing more satisfying than discovering a documented piece that is identical to a piece in your possession and without doubt the tops on this pair of commodes are a very good match if not by the same hand as the pair of inlaid sidetables we have illustrated.
In 1776-7 George III ordered the construction of a new wing on the north side of Buckingham House which would include a separate apartment for the young Prince of Wales (Later George IV). By 1780 the tradesmen of the Great Wardrobe were supplying a splendid array of new furniture, including a suite of 'party colour'd Japan' chairs and sofa by John Russell and a substantial quantity of expensive marquetry furniture by William Gates, including this pair of 'very fine satin wood inlaid commode tables' and quite possibly our pair of tables.
The quality of these pieces is exceptional, the inlay is precise and intricate and the design flows elegantly through a series of elongated scrolls. Of particular note is the range of woods employed. These include satinwood, tulipwood, amaranth, sycamore, amboyna and harewood. Evidently, no expense was spared. Indeed the pair of commodes cost £80 in 1781.
William Gates is described by the Dictionary of English Furniture Makers as "one of the foremost inlay workers of his day". He probably designed his own pieces but certainly on at least one occasion he worked from a drawing supplied to him by the Prince of Wales.
English, Circa 1780
 "A Detail of the Pair of Side Tables")