An 18th Century George III Period Sheraton Mahogany Occasional Table

A late 18th century George III Period mahogany occasional table in the Sheraton taste, the oval top above a dummy drawer with brass handles, lifting to reveal a compartment, the whole raised on turned legs with X-form stretchers with turned central bowl stand.

This is another fine example of Georgian elegance and grace. Further, the choice of material used for its construction illustrates the political power of the Empire over that of other European nations. Mahogany, which found its way into Britain from exotic origins such as Jamaica and the Bahamas was far rarer on the Continent due to heavy import duties imposed by the Spanish and French at the time. British trade routes with the Caribbean were well established by the 18th century and this helped to satisfy the demands of cabinet makers in the United Kingdom. It is interesting to note that the French did not start using mahogany in abundance until the early 19th century. This occasional table reflects the affluent time in which it was produced, made possible by the growing economic strength of Britain at the time.