Extremely Large 6' 7" Anglo-Indian Ebonised Hardwood Centre Table

An Extremely Large and Important Ebonised and Ivory Inlaid Centre Table. Circa 1900.

The table with quadripartite platform base and five turned columns supporting the top, one central column and four smaller columns to the corners of the platform. All the columns beautifully turned. The platform standing on bracket feet. The top and frieze of the table inlaid with a delicate pattern of floral marquetry of exquisite quality. The ebonised surface is original and shows charming variation in colour.

The combination of the largely white marquetry and ebonised surface was probably inspired by Indian designs made of ebony and inlaid with ivory. At the Great Exhibition of 1851 the Indian exhibits were particularly influential, receiving a lot of praise in contemporary newspapers. The designer Owen Jones presented several Indian patterns inspired by the engraved metalwork from the country seen at the 1851 Exhibition in his Grammar of Ornament published in 1856 and the floral work on this table is very much in that taste. The black and white effect of the table relates to niello engraving on the finest metalwork of this kind.

Although ebonised furniture became very popular in the aesthetic period at the end of the 19th century, this piece is based on an altogether earlier type. The platform base still relates to George IV examples, as does the form of the central column, and the quality of design and the size of this piece make clear that it was designed for a very important house. There is no known printed design source for the overall form of this table so it is possible that the piece was a bespoke design for a particular interior. It is also possible that the piece might have an Anglo-Indian origin - being produced in India for the English market or for a colonial home.

A table of this sort could be used as a dining table, library table or in a large hallway and the very unusual design is sure to make a statement in any interior.

Registration of ivory has been completed as per ivory act @apha.gov.uk