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Lot Essay
This elegant gueridon reflects the Neoclassical taste popularized by the work of the Scottish architect Robert Adam (1728-1792) and presents a tantalizing link to his fabled interiors for the 1st Duke of Northumberland (1714-1786). From 1762-1775, Adam worked on the remodeling and refurbishment of Syon Park followed by Northumberland House, their London mansion. Lord and Lady Northumberland were amongst the greatest collectors and patrons of the arts of the 18th century, commissioning works from leading artists, architects and craftsmen. Adam was employed to design a series of rooms along with their furnishings to create the perfect setting for Northumberland’s antiquities, paintings, including several by Canaletto and other objets d’art collected on the Grand Tour.
In contrast to Northumberland's heir, who had a notable military career as a British officer in the American War of Independence, Northumberland’s second son, Lord Algernon Percy (1750-1830), who was created 2nd Baron Louvaine and 2nd Earl of Beverly, followed in his father’s footsteps. He went on two Grand Tours, the first in 1768 during which he was painted by Pompeo Batoni (1708-1787) and his travelling companion noted that he did not dislike 'parade and splendor and evinced great taste in his expenditure'. This undoubtedly included the ‘Beverly Cameos,’ one of the most important Grand Tour collections of its kind of which part were sold by his descendant, Algernon Heber-Percy, at Christie's, London, 1 November 1990, lots 16-28. It is certainly possible that Lord Beverly, who shared the Duke’s aesthetic interests may have also inherited this table or had it commissioned for one of his residences.
The distinctive use of painted decoration for this table may indicate it is the work of the London cabinet-maker George Brookshaw (1751-1823), described on his bill header to the Prince of Wales (for Carlton House in 1783) as ‘Peintre Ebeniste par Extraordinaire’. As the title suggests he was a cabinet-maker with an unusual and exceptional skill in the art of painted decoration, who created a relatively small but unique body of work that includes pier tables, cabinets, commodes, bookcases and chimneypieces. It is interesting to note a commode firmly attributed to Brookshaw (which is also in the Getty Collection) was sold by Heber-Percy in the same sale at Christie's in 1967, further indicating a potential family link with this maker.
In contrast to Northumberland's heir, who had a notable military career as a British officer in the American War of Independence, Northumberland’s second son, Lord Algernon Percy (1750-1830), who was created 2nd Baron Louvaine and 2nd Earl of Beverly, followed in his father’s footsteps. He went on two Grand Tours, the first in 1768 during which he was painted by Pompeo Batoni (1708-1787) and his travelling companion noted that he did not dislike 'parade and splendor and evinced great taste in his expenditure'. This undoubtedly included the ‘Beverly Cameos,’ one of the most important Grand Tour collections of its kind of which part were sold by his descendant, Algernon Heber-Percy, at Christie's, London, 1 November 1990, lots 16-28. It is certainly possible that Lord Beverly, who shared the Duke’s aesthetic interests may have also inherited this table or had it commissioned for one of his residences.
The distinctive use of painted decoration for this table may indicate it is the work of the London cabinet-maker George Brookshaw (1751-1823), described on his bill header to the Prince of Wales (for Carlton House in 1783) as ‘Peintre Ebeniste par Extraordinaire’. As the title suggests he was a cabinet-maker with an unusual and exceptional skill in the art of painted decoration, who created a relatively small but unique body of work that includes pier tables, cabinets, commodes, bookcases and chimneypieces. It is interesting to note a commode firmly attributed to Brookshaw (which is also in the Getty Collection) was sold by Heber-Percy in the same sale at Christie's in 1967, further indicating a potential family link with this maker.