Pier table

This is one of a pair of tables invoiced to David Garrick by Thomas Chippendale on 11 September 1772: ‘2 Circular Tables very neatly japan'd green & White… £10 0 0; 2 Green Cloath Covers to do… 0 15 0; 2 Pembroke tables very neatly japan'd to match the others and castors &c… £15 0 0; 2 Green Cloath Covers… 0 13 0'. The associated packing charges indicate that the furniture was ordered for Garrick's villa on the banks of the Thames at Hampton and this is confirmed by an inventory taken on Garrick's death in 1779 which recorded in the Chinese Drawing Room ‘4 Demi semi-circle Tables japanned green & white to match & green cloth covers to do'. The two Pembroke tables were listed in the best bedroom and dressing room. At the sale in 1823, following the death of Garrick's widow the tables were still in the Chinese Drawing Room, described as ‘Four green and white demi semi circular tables to match…'. At the final dispersal sale in 1864 the contents of the State Drawing Room included two pairs of ‘semi-circular pier tables enamelled green and white, on terminal legs'. According to Sir William Hardman's Letters and Memoirs (ed. Ellis, 1925, p. 190), Sir William attended the sale and was able to ‘pick up for a very small sum several undoubted relics of the great actor'. In 1906 Hardman's widow gave to the V&A an Indian chintz curtain which divided Garrick's bedroom into two parts. Sir William also bought a chimney piece carved with entwined gilt snakes, a writing table, a pair of dwarf bookcases (one of which is owned by the Chippendale Society) and a pair of half-round pier tables. The latter passed by descent to Hardman's great-grand daughter Mrs A. Gunner of Cookham Dean, Berks. She recalled that the tables were used in the servants' hall in Lady Hardman's house. Mrs Gunner sold the present table to the Chippendale Society and the other to Bradford Art Galleries. In the 19th century the table was painted white and the underside was given a buff-coloured wash. The white paint was removed 1986-7 and the original finish, much worn, revealed. The present finish does not, however, accurately represent the table's original appearance, which is better preserved on the Bradford example. The name ‘Hardman' was found pencilled beneath paint on the back rail and the number IX is pencilled under the top.

This item is owned by The Chippendale Society. Explore the Society’s website and collections by clicking the external link below.