A Fine 18th Century Inlaid Demi-lune Mahogany Tea Table

A fine late 18th Century inlaid mahogany tea table in the manner of William Moore of Dublin, the frieze with central drawer and gilt metal handle, having parquetry inlaid borders set around fiddleback mahogany panels, the square tapering legs with stylised husks and raised on the original brass castors.

William Moore was working in the late 18th Century and had a residence and workshop on Inns Quay and Charles Street Dublin. After some years in Dublin, he travelled to London where he entered the workshop of Mayhew & Ince, the most famous cabinet makers in England at that time. Moore trained in London with Mayhew & Ince and his marquetry is similar in its drawing to that on pieces from their workshop (such as the Duchess of Manchester’s cabinet also in the V&A’s collection, W.43-1949).

Mayhew & Ince and the architect Robert Adam – Moore’s previous mentor, had worked on several prestigious houses together such as Adelphi, Croome Court, Derby House and their notable list of clients included the Prince of Wales, Duke of Beaufort and the Duke of Devonshire. After this exposure to the grandest projects of his age, in 1777 Moore returned to Dublin where he was encouraged to start his own business as a cabinet-maker in the capital city.

The history of this tea table is unknown, but its deep frieze and marquetry relate closely to recorded examples by William Moore: Moore supplied a commode of similar colour and form to the Duke of Portland in 1782.