Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 21

Scottish Double-Sided Mahogany Library Table of Large Scale, circa 1875

$15,875
£12,037.25
€13,899.74
CA$22,273.59
A$24,816.09
CHF 13,088.09
MX$300,855.03
NOK 166,499.38
SEK 155,104.72
DKK 103,818.21

About the Item

A circa 1875 Scottish solid mahogany double-sided library or writing table of very large scale and rectangular form by Glasgow cabinetmakers Francis & James Smith, LTD. (original enameled tag to an interior drawer as shown), the original black tooled leather top inset above long aprons either side with banks of three locking drawers and turned knobs, one center drawer with liftable inset leather writing surface, raised on boldly turned legs of unusual design. Stunning, luminescent tibers with gorgeous patina.  A fine example from a rare firm. The double-sided form of this table is commonly, but incorrectly, referred to as a "partners desk" due to its binary form, however by definition a partners desk is of double pedestal design. In addition to its original purpose, it could be chicly used as an unconventional dining table or for use in a commercial setting for display; clearance from floor to bottom edge is 23.25". Biography*: Smith, Francis & James (Ltd). Glasgow, Scotland and London; cabinet makers, cabinet carvers, gilders, and upholsterers (fl. 1835-1907). The firm was reportedly established in 1835 [The Furniture Gazette, 19 September 1874]. Possibly by Francis & James's father, Thomas (b.1811) who was described as an upholsterer employing 9 men and living at 18 Great Clyde Street (1851), as house & office furnisher living at Muirend House, Cathcart (1861). By this date his eldest son, Francis b. 1838, had entered the family business. Francis & James Smith were listed as cabinet makers, cabinet carvers & gilders and upholsterers at Gordon Street & Union Street, Glasgow and 60 Berners Street, Oxford Street in The Furniture Gazette Directory, 1876 and at the Glasgow addresses in the same publication, 1877. Between 1873 and 1891 F. & J. Smith occupied this seven-storey warehouse on the corner of Union Street and Gordon Street. In 1881 the workshops in Kent Road, Glasgow were employing 60 men and 30 women and apprentices. The partnership was dissolved in September 1877 but the firm continued trading under the same name and was recorded in The Furniture Gazette: Classified List of the Furniture, Upholstery and Allied Trades, 1886. Francis Smith was listed in census as master cabinet maker employing 60 men, 4 boys, 30 women & 6 girls (1881) and as cabinet maker (1891). The Glasgow Trades Directory, 1900-01, recorded Francis Smith, cabinet maker at 137a Sauchiehall Street; it also listed James Smith, cabinet maker, 51 Cheapside Street but it is not known whether this was Francis' brother. John Campbell from Francis & James Smith presided at the 7th Annual meeting of the Glasgow Upholsterers on 14 March 1884 at the Queen’s Rooms [The Furniture Gazette, 22 March 1884]. In October 1882 F. & J. Smith supplied an Italian walnut suite for the retiring rooms in the Corporation Galleries, Glasgow in connection with the visit of the Duke & Duchess of Albany [The Furniture Gazette, 28 October 1882]. Francis Smith also received several Mackintosh commissions, which illustrate their manufactured furniture of contemporary design and construction; it is interesting to note that Mackintosh also split these commissions with other firms. The first was at Hous'hill (1904), which included a card table for the billiards room, now in the collections of Glasgow Museums, E.2002.5. They were also makers of a set of stained oak domino tables designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868-1928) for Miss Kate Cranston’s Ingram Street Tea Rooms, Glasgow, c. 1907. *Courtesy of The Furniture History Society.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 30 in (76.2 cm)Width: 72 in (182.88 cm)Depth: 48 in (121.92 cm)
  • Style:
    Victorian (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1875
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Finish recently professionally rewaxed. Wear to leather top including minor indentations and patches, one side with older replacement turned wood knobs and the other with replacement brass locks, presents beautifully.
  • Seller Location:
    Kinderhook, NY
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1002146205612

More From This Seller

View All
Calamander Inlaid Mahogany Sofa Table by William Wilkinson, London, circa 1820
By William Wilkinson
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A very fine and elegant circa 1820 English regency solid mahogany drop-leaf two drawer sofa table by renowned London cabinet-maker William Wilkinson of false double-sided form having...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Sofa Tables

Materials

Brass

Howard & Sons London Leather Topped Faux Bamboo Writing Table, circa 1875
By Howard & Sons Ltd
Located in Kinderhook, NY
English circa 1875 Aesthetic Movement writing table or desk by London cabinetmakers Howard & Sons having original green leather top; the oval form case with single drawer and origina...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Desks and Writing T...

Materials

Brass

English George III Sheraton Rosewood & Satinwood Pembroke Table, circa 1800
By Thomas Sheraton
Located in Kinderhook, NY
An extremely fine circa 1800 English George III period rosewood and satinwood 'Sheraton' pembroke table of rectangular double sided form, the top having drop 'D' shaped ends above full length drawer and false reverse-side all with finely cast brass knob pulls...
Category

Antique Early 1800s English Sheraton Drop-leaf and Pembroke Tables

Materials

Brass

Anglo-Indian Mahogany Tilt-Top Pedestal Occasional Table or Stand, circa 1835
Located in Kinderhook, NY
Circa 1835 Anglo-Indian Regency style solid mahogany occasional table or stand having square tilting top with gadrooned edge on reed-carved and turned pedestal on tripart cusped-conc...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Irish Chippendale Carved Mahogany Side Table, circa 1760
Located in Kinderhook, NY
Exceptional circa 1760 Irish Chippendale mahogany slab or side table having breccia pernice marble top surmounting carved geometric interlacement band frieze with central carved 'cel...
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Irish Chippendale Console Tables

Materials

Breccia Marble

English George III Sabicu & Gonçalo Alves Work Table in the Manner of John Cobb
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A English circa 1770 early George III period sabicu and gonçalo alves lady's writing or work table in the 'French' or rococo style of John Cobb and Pierre Langlois, the rectangular top above a felted brushing slide with brass knob pulls...
Category

Antique 1770s English Rococo Tables

Materials

Wood

You May Also Like

Wonderful Huge Victorian Mahogany Library Table
Located in Swadlincote, GB
A superb quality large Victorian mahogany library table/desk, with dummy drawers to one side, three working drawers to the other, outstanding original green hide skiver, original br...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Early Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Late 19th Century Victorian Mahogany Library Table
Located in Germantown, MD
A Late 19th Century Victorian Mahogany Library Table with stretcher. Measure 48" in width, 18" in depth and stands 30.25".
Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Sofa Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Regency Mahogany Library Table Attributed to Gillows
Located in London, GB
A FINE REGENCY MAHOGANY LIBRARY TABLE ATTRIBUTED TO GILLOWS, CIRCA 1820. With original blind-tooled coral-red Morocco leather top, the frieze with three mahogany-lined drawers to ei...
Category

Antique 19th Century Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Mid 19th Century Antique English Mahogany Pembroke Writing Table
Located in Sheridan, CO
Early to mid 19th c., England, rectangular Regency Pembroke writing table mahogany top over two frieze drawers set with brass drawer pulls, opposite faux drawers, raised on double co...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Regency Drop-leaf and Pembroke Tables

Materials

Brass

Rare Victorian Holland and Sons Double Sided Hardwood Partner Desk Writing Table
By Holland & Sons
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning rare and original early Victorian Holland and Son’s mahogany double sided library table or ...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Very Impressive Mid 19th Century Victorian Period Mahogany Conference Table
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
Very Impressive Monumental Mid 19th-century Mahogany Library Writing Table Introducing a truly impressive and monumental mid 19th-century Victorian period mahogany conference table ...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century British Victorian Conference Tables

Materials

Leather