A Very Fine 18th Century Mahogany and Sabicu Sofa Table. English Circa 1780

A Very Fine 18th Century Mahogany and Sabicu Sofa Table. English Circa 1780 .

A small proportioned table of exceptional quality by a thoughtful and highly skilled maker. The twin drop flap oblong top, veneered in sabicu and triple cross banded in a variety of other exotic veneers and with ebony and box line stringing, over a two drawer frieze, with apposing dummy drawers with original ivory knob handles and escutcheons. Over a twin end support base with a high stretcher and reeded swept legs, terminating in brass toecaps and castors.

Unusually the dramatically figured West Indies variety of wood is used in this case, colloquially known in period as sabicu wood, or ‘horseflesh mahogany’, or tamarind, and is used on a large scale here (despite its high cost) to a rich yet understated visual effect. The colour and patination we see today is as good as one can expect to see with glorious depth and golden tones.Access to rare and costly veneers was available to only leading cabinet makers who would have been able to offer their wealthy patrons the option of exclusivity at a price.

This object incorporates old ivory and has been registered with Defra

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This object is eligible for a Certificate of BADA Provenance

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