Mid 18th Century Rectangular Centre Writing Table

No: 11235 A mid 18th century mahogany rectangular centre writing table of unusual and practical design. The table displays a rich, warm colour and excellent patina that has developed over time. The rectangular top sits above a single long drawer to the front with attractive brass handles. A particularly fine feature of this table is the pair of pull-out candle slides concealed beneath the top on either side. These slides reveal fitted compartments designed to hold inkwells and writing accessories, providing additional practical surface space when in use. Such thoughtful details make the table both functional and highly decorative. The table has ogee shaped brackets to the corners and elegant chamfered legs terminating in the original leather barrel castors. Provenance: The Late Great George Withers George Withers was born in 1946 in the village of Hallatrow, and spent his formative years growing up on a farm in Charfield, Gloucestershire. As early as 14, his fascination with antiques started to emerge. His family recollects him struggling one day across the field at the back of the farm carrying one of his first modest purchases - a grandfather clock. George left school at 15 to work in the local Malthouse and began dealing in his spare time. At 21, he opened his first shop on London Road, Bath; this was to be the first of many in the Bath area, always filled to the gunnels, to the point that visitors had to enter through the door sideways and slide between the hoard of antiques on display. For a time, George had a stall at Portobello, London, and sold at the antiques fair in Bath Pavilion. In the early 2000s George moved with his family to Ye Grange in Bathampton, where he displayed many of his treasures. Those who knew George well, knew him to be a collector, and a rather reluctant seller, preferring to covet and keep his pieces for his own enjoyment. Around 2003 Ye Grange was sold and George moved to Peasedown where he lived out his remaining days surrounded by his beloved antiques.