George III Mahogany Double-sided Leather Top Library Writing Table, circa 1795

A fine circa 1795 English late George III period mahogany double-sided library or writing table of rectangular form, the replaced gilt-tooled 'coral' leather inset top with square reeded edge above corners with rectangular ogee molded reserves, aprons either side with banks of three drawers having cast-brass round knobs with backplates on turned and reeded legs ending in original brass casters.

The 'reeded' legs executed on this table are a rarely seen early variant with the ends 'cut' at 45° angles and hollowed to replicate actual harvested reed bundles, unlike the typical 'rounded-end' adaptation modeled on the rods in a Roman 'fasces', yet still termed "reeded", that would later become ubiquitous on all manner of 'legged' furniture as originally illustrated by Thomas Sheraton in 'The Cabinet Maker's and Upholsterer's Drawing Book' published in London between 1791-93.

Provenance: Fishers Island, NY private collection, purchased from Kentshire Galleries, New York City, in 1983.