The buyer of the 3ft (91cm) table was Martin Levy of the Mount Street dealers H. Blairman & Sons who was familiar with the design from Hope’s Household Furniture. Further attractions, he said, included the superb unrestored condition – “it just needs to be waxed” – and a provenance that probably includes Hope’s granddaughter who married one of the Dukes of Newcastle.
Regency mahogany centre table makes £57,000
One of several items consigned to Woolley and Wallis in Salisbury by descendants of the 7th and 9th Dukes of Newcastle for sale on May 13, this Regency mahogany centre table with profusely carved trestle supports in the manner of Thomas Hope surprised auctioneer and vendor alike when it breezed past its £800-1200 estimate to sell for £57,000 (plus 15/10 per cent buyer’s premium).
