Apter-Fredericks

Important 18th & 19th Century Antique Furniture

Tables
A Fine George III Mahogany Inlaid Pembroke Table




SOLD - A Fine George III Mahogany Inlaid Pembroke Table Attributed to Christopher Fuhrlogh

Height: 28" 71cm
Width: 20 ¼" 51.5cm
Length: 37 ½" 95.5cm
Depth: 28" 71cm

The oval mahogany and satinwood banded top with central medallion inlaid with classical figures about to pour libation within a ring of bell flowers and flanked on either side by fan medallions. The inspiration for the central panel is drawn from engravings of antique vases in the collection of Sir William Hamilton, published by Pierre-Francis D'Hancarville.

Below, the frieze has the most unusual feature of two drawers, rather than one, each retaining its original chased handle. The back of the table finished with a satinwood banded panel. The table supported on four square tapering legs with inlaid satinwood fluting to the top of each and original brass castors. The cabinet maker has used interesting veneers that have all developed a good colour.

English, Circa 1780

The table maybe attributed to Fuhrlogh. The use of circular panels framing classical figures is a decorative technique found on a writing table attributed to Fuhrlogh illustrated in J.F. Hayward, 'A further Note on Christopher Fuhrlogh', Burlington Magazine, July 1977, pp 486-493. This table has the exact same panel and also the same inlaid satinwood fluting to the legs. A similar use of figural inlay is also on a group of commodes in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, illustrated in C. Streeter, 'Marquetry Furniture by a brilliant London Master', Metropolitan Museum Bulletin, June 1971 Part 1, pp.418-29 also attributed to Fuhrlogh.

Christopher Fuhrlogh trained in Paris under the French ébéniste Oeben. In 1767 he was employed by John Linnell in Berkley Square. Using his French techniques Linnell was able to produce high quality marquetry in combination with the new Neo-Classical style, making him one of the most fashionable cabinet makers in London.

It is not clear how long Fuhrlogh stayed with Linnell but by 1772 he was established at Tottenham Court Road. He further developed a scheme for supplying marquetry panels ready made to cabinet-makers such as Linnell saving them money on design and inlay work. He exhibited these panels at the Free Society of Artists in the early 1770's.

In later years Fuhrlogh attracted commissions from such distinguished patrons as the Duke of Portland and the Prince of Wales. He specialized in 'curiously inlaid mahogany and satinwood articles'.