Colonial Australian Cedar Wine Table by William Hamilton

William Hamilton, important Colonial Australian cedar wine…
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William Hamilton, important Colonial Australian cedar wine table, solid book-matched flame cedar top, handsomely carved with crisp dragooned edge, and finely carved column, standing on a platform base with Hamilton's signature scroll over feet, circa 1845. Note exceptional refinements such as the acanthus carved intersection to the edge placed over the tri-form base. Hamilton was one of Tasmania's early premier cabinet makers operating out of Hobart Town from 1836 to 1876. His work was represented at the 1851 Great Exhibition in London, and the 1866-67 Intercolonial Exhibition Of Australasia in Melbourne. Hamilton is often regarded as the best Tasmanian cabinet maker of his day. This example is in spectacular original condition with beautiful colour and exemplary patination. One of the finest examples seen in our rooms. 76 cm high, 53 cm diameter

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  • Acanthus - A stylized leaf motif, one of the primary decorative elements of classical Greek and Roman architecture, derived from the genus of flowering plants in the family Acanthaceae, native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Mediterranean area. It is a common element in classical Greek and Roman design, and is often seen in Corinthian and Composite order columns and used as a decorative element in English, European and Australian furniture, particularly on the curve of a leg, and as decoration for a corbel.
  • Platform Base - Flat-surfaced bases supporting the pedestals of dining tables and some other smaller occasional tables, including console and pier tables. Introduced during the Regency period, they continued in popularity throughout the 19th century. On tables, platform bases are usually of triform, or three-cornered shape, supported by bun, turned or carved claw feet. They may be either of veneered box-like construction, or formed from the solid timber.
  • Column - An architectural feature sometimes used for decorative effect and sometimes as part of the supporting construction. Columns should generally taper slightly towards the top. They may be plain or decorated with carving, fluting or reeding. Columns may be fully rounded or, more commonly, half-rounded and attached with glue, screws or pins to the outer stiles of doors, or the facing uprights on cabinets and bureaux.
  • Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.
  • Patination / Patina - In broad terms, patination refers to the exterior surface appearance of the timber, the effect of fading caused by exposure to sunlight and air over the course of a century or more, changing the piece to a soft, mellow colour.

    As patina is very difficult to replicate, it is one of the most important guides to determining the age of furniture.

    Patina is also the term applied to the bloom or film found on old bronzes due to oxidisation.

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