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A rare George II period mahogany 'handkerchief' drop leaf table.
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A rare George II period mahogany 'handkerchief' drop leaf table. (c. 1730 English)

A rare and finely executed George II period mahogany ‘handkerchief’ hexagonal drop-leaf table, with a revolving moulded edge top secured with a ‘bird cage’ block on a triangular frame on turned tapering legs with pad feet.


This is one of those rare treasures that sits there looking stylish, restrained and timeless. Then whether evolving from closed to open or vice versa, it makes one smile at the joy of the simple sophistication of its design and manufacture. The way the moulded edges meet at the re-entrant corners that then register exactly over the re-entrant moulded corner detail to the frieze is absolutely exquisite. A true masterpiece of early Georgian furniture.

Dimensions   27.75inch high
(  70.48 cm high)

35.50inch diameter
( 90.17 cm in diameter)
Medium Mahogany.
Condition This table is in superb condition. The fine dense grain glows through a lovely rich patina. The revolving top glides from closed to open with sublime ease. The hinges and bird cage block are original.
Literature The table, with triangular frame and tripod columnar legs, is conceived in the French games-table fashion so that its reed-moulded top turns to form a hexagonal and scallop-cornered top. Such a flap, popularly known as of 'envelope' or 'handkerchief' form, features on a 'harlequin' corner-table pattern in the 1730s trade-sheet issued by the Holborn cabinet-maker Thomas Potter (C. Gilbert and T. Murdoch, John Channon and brass-inlaid furniture 1730-1760, London, 1993, fig. 11).