A Probably Unique Rectangular Mahogany Center or Library Table

A Probably Unique Rectangular Mahogany Center or Library Table with Intricately Fitted Drawer and Raised on Finely Cast Gilt-Brass Detachable Legs
English. Second Quarter Of The Nineteenth Century
Measurements
Length: 53 1/2" (135.9 cm); Width: 37 3/4" (95.9 cm); Height: 30 3/4" (78.1 cm).
Research
Of mahogany, cedar and gilt-brass. The rectangular top above a long frieze drawer fitted with a slide on each side. One drawer with three partitions containing two removable covered boxes and a removable central tray, revealing three further hidden drawers behind. Each drawer with original locks. The whole raised on lacquered brass fluted and tapered legs with foliate capitals and feet, terminating in large brass castors. (One slide cover not present.)

Marks:
Both locks stamped BRAMAH PATENT and VR with crown above

Within the canon of all European furniture of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, tables raised on gilded brass or bronze legs are rare indeed. Still rarer are any such tables made in England. Large castings in brass or bronze have always presented significant technical challenges and were extremely costly. The present piece is one such rare example of a nineteenth century table raised on gilt brass legs, further distinguished by these legs being fitted with threaded bolts at the top, making them easily detachable.

In addition to its peculiar requirement for disassembly, the table’s internal configuration also points to a bespoke use. It is fitted with a long drawer to each side, both containing a sliding top that may be manually accessed and retracted by means of grooved finger pulls. Within one drawer, the slide opens to reveal a singular cavity. On the other side, the drawer is divided by partitions into three sections that contain a pair of removable boxes with sliding tops and a central removable tray. When the boxes and tray are removed, a further horizontal bank of three drawers becomes accessible. Further superbly engineered brass elements are the flush handles found on the internal fittings, which allow the removable boxes and covering slide to abut the surfaces of each other and maximize use of the limited space within the drawer.

The retractable sliding covers within each drawer can be independently locked to prevent unwanted access to the fittings. Interestingly, however, the lock does not serve to secure the entire drawer, but only the covering slide. The locks, which are original to the table, are particularly notable in that they represent the highest level of quality and security available in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, being by Bramah, the most technically sophisticated lock company of its time.

This apparently unique item of writing furniture was clearly designed with specific safety mechanisms in place to keep items secure in a very particular manner. It is unusual that neither the surface of the tabletop, nor its interior retractable drawer slides, are inset with leather panels, as would traditionally be seen on an item of such quality. An argument could therefore be made that its serviceability as a writing table for composition or study may have been secondary to its function as a depository for its important contents.

Full research report available on request.