Early 19th Century Console Table, Attributed to George Oakley

A superb early 19th century Regency era console table in the 'Egyptian' taste, firmly attributed to George Oakley. London, circa 1810

Why we like it

We love its austere Egyptian-inspired design, combined with a most beautiful choice of timber, the softly mellowed colour and natural patination. It has great visual presence, a perfect statement piece for a traditional or eclectic interior.

Design & Attribution

This sideboard-table can be firmly attributed to George Oakley (d.1840), who worked in partnership with with various cabinet-makers including Henry Kettle, George Shackleton and John Evans, producing furniture in the fashionable 'Grecian' taste. His extensive enterprise earned the accolades of the Royal Family as noted after their visit in 1799: 'the ROYAL FAMILY, with the PRINCE and PRINCESS OF ORANGE did Mr. OAKLEY the honour of vieiwing his Printed Furniture Warehouse in New Bond Street; when her MAJESTY, the Duke and Duchess of YORK, and the PRINCESSES, &c., highly approved of the splendid variety which has justly attracted the notice of the fashionable world' (Morning Chronicle).

A pair of side cabinets of the same form and ornamentation was supplied by Oakley as part of a major commission supplied to Charles Madryll Cheere at Papworth Hall, Cambridgeshire in 1810 (illustrated in M. Jourdain, 'English Empire Furniture made by George Oakley', Architectural Review, December 1920). A sideboard and side table attributed to his firm, and apparently of the same design, are in the Ballroom of the Mansion house, described as a 'capital mahogany sideboard supported on a stand, reeded legs and carved and bronzed paw feet, with antique bronze heads'.

This console table is closely related to ones sold Christie's London, 12 April 1996, lot 106 and Christie's New York, 9 April 2003, lot 27. Another was sold at Sotheby's New York, 16 October 1982, lot 548. A further pair of consoles is illustrated in Partridge's Summer Exhibition, 1986, pp. 78-79, no. 30.

Dimensions

Width: 122 cm / 48”
Depth: 52 cm / 20.5”
Height: 89.5 cm / 35.25”

Condition

Superb choice of mahogany, which has developed a mellow colour and natural patination.