A Regency satin wood and calamander sofa table, attributed to…
click the photo to enlarge
A Regency satin wood and calamander sofa table, attributed to Gillows, English circa 1815, 71.5 high, 71 cm wide closed, 66 cm deep. provenance: Christie's New York, important English furniture, 9 April 2003 lot 54. The supports and timbers used in this sofa table are virtually identical to a drawing for a 'Spindle End' table supplied by Gillows to Ferguson & Co. The firm of Ferguson, Whitesides & Co, upholsterers had taken over the Gillow premises at 176-8 Oxford Street, and continued to operate under their own name (G. Wills, Craftmen and cabinet-makers of classic English furniture, 1974, p.123, figs 109 and 110). Other virtually identical exemples include one illustrated in G. Wills, op. Cit, p.117, fig. 108 and another (without drawers) illustrated in B. Reade, Regency Antiques, 1953, pl.46. a centre table with the same calamander channelling to the legs is illustrated in E.T. Joy, English furniture 1800-1851, 1977, p.20. a library table of this form was sold anonymously, Christie's New York, 19-20 January 1996, lot 538. Provenance: Private Collection, Melbourne

You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.

Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item

When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

This item has been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.
  • Satinwood - Satinwood is a dense pale gold coloured timber that was imported into Britain in the second half of the 18th century, and early 19th centuries from the East Indies and the West Indies. The name derives from the satin-like surface sheen when the timber is polished.

    It was used in the solid, as a veneer and in inlays. As well as furniture, satinwood was used for making musical instruments, barometers, boxes and clocks.

    It will usually be found on only the very best quality objects, presumably because of of its cost at the time.
  • Regency Period - The Regency period in English furniture design refers to the period when King George III, was declared unfit to rule in 1811, and his son ruled as proxy as Prince Regent, until 1820, and then, after the death of his father as George IV until his death in 1830. The Regency period was preceded by the Georgian period (George I, George II, and George III: 1714 - 1811), and was followed by the William IV period, which only lasted until 1837 when William IV died as was succeeded by Queen Victoria.
  • Calamander / Coromandel - Calamander wood, also known as coromandel wood or coromandel ebony, is a type of hardwood that comes from the Calamander tree (Diospyros quaesita), which is native to Sri Lanka, India, and Southeast Asia. The wood is known for its dark brown or black colour and its distinctive figuring, which can resemble a snakeskin pattern.

    The wood is highly prized for its beauty and durability. It is often used in fine furniture making, particularly in the production of inlaid and marquetry work, as well as in the making of boxes, cabinets, and other decorative items. It is also used in the manufacture of flooring, paneling and other architectural applications.

    Calamander wood is a very hard and heavy wood, it has a density of around 1.04 g/cm3. Its density and high natural oil content make it resistant to decay and insects, which is why it is a popular choice for outdoor furniture, flooring and other decorative items.

    The wood is also used for turning and carving, but is difficult to work due to its high density and interlocking grain. However, it takes a high natural polish and has a beautiful lustre, which is why it is so sought after.

    Due to the high demand and over-exploitation of the natural resources, the calamander tree is now a protected species, and the harvesting and export of the wood is heavily regulated.
  • Attributed - A cataloguing term where the item in the opinion of the cataloguers, is a of the period of the artist, craftsman or designer, and which probably in whole or part is the work of that person.
  • Provenance - A term used to describe the provable history of an antique or work of art, and thus an additional aid to verifying its authenticity. Provenance can have an inflating effect on the price of an item, particularly if the provenance relates to the early settlement of Australia, a famous person, or royalty. Less significant are previous sales of the item through an auction house or dealer.
  • 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.

This item has been included into following indexes:

Visually similar items

George IV mahogany library table inset leather writing surface, two frieze drawers on reeded tapering legs

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

A George III pale mahogany sideboard on spade feet, 97 cm high, 184 cm wide, 80 cm deep

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

A huanghuali and hardwood writing table, circa 1900, the panelled top flush within a mitred frame with moulded edge, above a row of three panelled drawers set with brass swing handles on circular back plates, within a raised convex framework extending arou

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

A William IV mahogany side table, circa 1835, 73 cm high, 108 cm wide, 52 cm deep

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.