10329 A rare Regency mahogany and gilt brass mounted games table, the three part leathered top sliding to reveal a backgammon well with original leather, the frieze with two drawers for counters, with dummy drawers all round and supported by a reeded curule base in Roman style with turned cross stretcher. Original brass casters. Attributed to Marsh & Tatham.
English
1815
Width: 35 ins (89 cms)
Height: 27.5 ins (70 cms)
Depth: 22 ins (56 cms)
£9,500
Description
Charles Heathcote Tatham published his influential ‘Etchings: Best Examples of Ancient Ornamental Architecture’ from 1798. These diligently copied designs from Antiquity were used extensively by leading architects and designers of the early 19th century. One of these firms was Marsh & Tatham which was co-owned by Charles’ brother Thomas. Contemporaneous insurance policies, for a dwelling house, warehouse and workshop on Grosvenor Square in Mayfair, suggest a large and prosperous business.
From the 1780’s, the firm was associated with a group of craftsmen working for the Prince of Wales. C.H. Tatham’s etchings from Italy would have almost certainly supplied ideas for the large amount of furniture demanded by their royal patron as he looked to improve his London residence, Carlton House in St James’. Pieces supplied by Marsh & Tatham for Carlton House are clearly influenced by C.H. Tatham’s designs. The carved and gilded Council chairs have been copied directly and the set of library bookcases supplied in 1806 are clearly reminiscent of the refined style of the engravings. We are attributing our games table to Marsh & Tatham or their circle due to the quality of its construction and the unusual design, though a related games table supplied and labelled by John McLean to Saltram in Devon is another possibility.
