The Dorset Stone Table, Early 19th Century

A rare and most unusual Regency-era table of superb quality, with a native English Dorset marble inset top, enriched throughout with exotic veneers and fine brass stringing. In the manner of John McLean. London, circa 1800–1815.

Why we like it

Beyond its rarity and remarkably preserved condition, we’re drawn to the jewel-like quality of the detailing—particularly the exquisitely turned Tuscan column capitals to the side supports. The exceptional choice of veneers, and the use of cedar not only for drawer construction but also for decorative elements, point to an accomplished cabinetmaker with sophisticated taste.

One such cabinetmaker was John McLean (1770–1825), noted for his extensive use of cedar in drawer construction. Thomas Sheraton (1751–1806) described a related table in The Cabinet Dictionary (1803), observing that “The design was taken from one executed by Mr M’Lean in Mary-le-bone Street, near Tottenham Court Road, who finishes these small articles in the neatest manner.” A table corresponding to that design, and displaying a number of McLean’s idiosyncratic features, appeared on the UK art market in 2022. As with the present example, its top was inset with a panel composed of native English marbles, including Dorset Purbeck stone, as seen here. Similarly exquisitely-turned supports feature on another McLean small table, dating back to the same period, which is now in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Arts, New York, as well as on a virtually identical table, illustrated in S.Redburn, Jihn McLean and Son, Furniture History, 1978, pl. 37b. A further related example, bearing a firm's label, and similarly featuring a marble top, was sold Bonhams, London, 4 June 2014, lot 111.

McLean’s firm advertised that it specialised in “Elegant Parisian Furniture”, and many elements of this table show a clear French influence, tempered by English restraint. The lavish use of brass stringing and inlay to sharpen the contrast of veneers also echoes a fashion first popularised at the court of Louis XVI by the royal ébéniste David Roentgen.

Dimensions

Width: 49 cm / 19.25”
Depth: 40 cm / 16.75”
Height: 71.5 cm / 28.25”

Extended: Width: 72.5 cm / 28.5”

Condition

Superb figuring of the veneers, lovely rich colour, original surfaces.