George II Architects Table

No:11245 18th Century (circa 1750) George II period mahogany Architect’s table, the hinged adjustable easel top with a removable book rest, above a pull-out frieze drawer raised on split section front legs fitted with a red leather slide with a central slope, opening to reveal a compartmented interior, with swing-out candle stands to the sides, the square section legs with inner turned columns and terminating in brass castors. NB: In contemporary literature, these are often referred to as architect's tables, artist’s tables and reading tables, and it is often difficult to know exactly what they were used for, but we think they were most likely a gentleman's library piece rather than professional architect’s tables. In an oil painting is of the Reverend Edward Foyle by Arthur Devis. It dates from about 1760 and shows the subject in his library standing in front of what we often refer to as an Architect's Table. It shows that these tables were almost certainly not made for working architects but as reading/writing tables for clients who were wealthy enough to own a library Literature: Ince, W. and Mayhew, J. (1960). The Universal System of Household Furniture, 1762. London, UK: Alec Tiranti. pp 4, Plate XXIV. Macquoid, P. and Edwards, R. (1983). The Dictionary of English Furniture from the Middle Ages to the Late Georgian Period, Volume III. Suffolk, UK: Baron Publishing. pp 185-187.