CIRCA 1720-40

The 'gueridon' pedestals for vases or candelabra formed part of an early 18th Century pier set and accompanied a table and mirror. The circular tray-top is enriched with an acanthus-flowered mosaic compartment in the Louis Quatorze 'Roman' or 'antique' manner popularised by the Oeuvres (1702) of Daniel Marot (d. 1752) 'architect' to William III. Roman acanthus foliage and husks also enrich its tapered pillar and its tripod 'claw'. Elaborate early examples were supplied by James Moore (d.1726) in 1724 for Hampton Court Palace (R. Edwards & M. Jourdain, Georgian Cabinet Makers, London, 1955, rev. ed., fig. 30) and for Blenheim Palace between 1716-22, the latter now lost. Moore, in partnership with John Gumley, supplied a number of triads - sets comprising a table, pair of stands and a mirror, for the royal palaces though none of the sets remain in their entirety (A. Bowett, Early Georgian Furniture 1716-1740, Woodbridge, 2009, p. 203).

The general form and decoration of the present columns relate to those of pedestals from the collection of Margaret, Countess of Suffolk and Berkshire, sold Christie's, London, 25 July 1969, lot 127. Another pair was sold anonymously, Christie's, London, 14 June 2001, lot 133 (£15,275 including premium).