Fine Early Victorian Walnut Occasional Table with Inset Watercolour on Vellum Under Glass

Fine Early Victorian Walnut Occasional Table with Inset Watercolour on Vellum Under Glass This interesting table, dating to c.1845, offers an intriguing glimpse in to the mind of a patron of the period who clearly had a deep interest in the natural world and botany in particular. The apron on the table is finely carved with harebells and foliage in relief, set against a pounced ground which is highly unusual for this period. This fine carving acts as a frame for a glazed picture which is inset in to the table top. The picture is painted in watercolour on vellum, always a sign of finer than average quality as the material was so much more expensive to procure than paper, and depicts a series of flowering plants and four species of butterflies, all European specimens. It is believed that the butterflies depicted may be the common blue, speckled wood, meadow brown and grayling varieties. The plants depicted include morning glory (bindweed), pansies, fern fronds and ivy. The top is painted with great delicacy and, although likely produced by the commissioner of the piece, is of excellent quality and highly proficient in its design and execution. This is a beautiful table that will add a real decorative accent to any room, bringing the outside inside in a most effective way.