WICK ANTIQUES LTD Game Tables

An unusual George IV specimen marble backgammon table attributed to Gillows. This rectangular table is strongly attributed to Gillows. It has a rectangular top inlaid with a central chess board flanked by two backgammon fields, all inlaid with a multitude of specimen marbles. One edge carved and gilded with the Latin motto ‘Turpe est in patria vivere et patriam ignorare’. The oak base has a drawer for cards and playing pieces, all raised on a square section support with four splayed legs and the original brass castors. English, circa 1830. Provenance: Geoffrey Bennison Ltd, London, November 1983 The Mermaid House Collection, St. John’s Wood, London Property of a gentleman Private American collection The form of the base of this table is related to several known Gillows commissions from the late Regency period and the quality of the cabinet work also suggests that firm attribution to the firm. Backgammon tables, rather than more general games tables, are unusual at this date and the use of inlaid specimen marbles in the top suggests a client of wealth. Additionally, the Latin text on the edge of the table provides further clues. The text, Turpe est in patria vivere et patriam ignorare, translates as “it is shameful to live in your homeland and not know it”. This phrase dates back to antiquity but rose to prominence once again in the mid-18th century when used by the botanist and key Enlightenment figure Carl Linnaeus in his work on the native flora of Sweden. The combination of this phrase and the use of native English timbers and marbles is promoting English raw materials and craftsmanship at a time when the noble and the wealthy were focussed on European pietra dura tables. Mermaid House in St John’s Wood was re-designed by Chester Jones...

A Regency period rosewood sofa games table attributed to Gillows of Lancaster; the top with rounded ends covered in the original distressed leather, with a central reversible chess board which can be removed to display a backgammon board beneath, the frieze with a dummy drawer retaining its original gilded handles and decorated with ormolu mounts; having elegant lyre ends raised on outswept legs terminating in acanthus cap castors. English, circa 1815. Provenance: Hermione Countess of Ranfurly The Countess of Ranfurly was the author of ‘To War with Whitaker’ her memoirs of life in Cairo with Eisenhower. Her husband was the 6th Earl of Ranfurly and the Governor General of Bahamas between 1953 and 1956. Footnote: The design for a rosewood sofa table in the sketch book of 13 April 1813, made for John Gladstone of Liverpool, father of the future Prime Minister, is published in Susan E Stuart, Gillows of Lancaster and London, 1730-1840, Antique Collectors’ Club, Woodbridge, 2008 Vol I, p.265, pl. 270. When the firm made the ‘sofa backgammon table, to suit the above’ (p267, pls 272 and 273) no expense was spared. With the extra tooled morocco...

A Napoleon III parquetry card table by Sormani, the shaped hinged top with ormolu ribbon and bead guilloche edging, decorated overall in kingwood, tulipwood and satinwood diamond tre...

An Important Regency Period Library Table Made After Designs by Thomas Hope and Identical to a Pair of Tables at Beechwood Park and Another Potentially From Malahide in Ireland A Regency oak drum...

An early Victorian Goncalo Alves card table attributed to Gillows, the hinged rectangular top with bead and reel edging, the green baize (replaced) interior within quarter veneered corners, the turned, knopped end supports gadrooned and set upon two feet with lion’s paw feet and disguised castors. English, circa 1850. For a pair of very similar Goncalo Alves card tables belonging to Miss K...

A nest of Regency specimen wood tables by Gillows of Lancaster, each with a rectangular top and rosewood edge, the largest decorated with an amboyna field within rosewood banding, th...

A Sheraton period George III mahogany patience table, the rectangular top with a drawer front with brass handles on each side, two hinged to support two flaps which open to form a re...