Description

A superb quality Victorian Gothic Revival octagonal library or centre table, stamped to one drawer by the renowned Guildford cabinet makers and furnishers W. Williamson & Sons.
Made in solid oak, the table has a wonderfully architectural base with bold barley-twist legs, substantial bun feet with inset ceramic castors and particularly attractive Gothic tracery stretchers centred by a turned finial. The deep frieze is finely carved throughout with repeating circular motifs and florets and incorporates four useful drawers, traditionally dovetailed and oak lined – further signs of the quality of its construction.
The octagonal top retains its wonderfully aged very dark green, almost black leather writing surface, framed by a lighter green border with delicate gilt tooling.
W. Williamson & Sons were one of Guildford’s most prestigious furniture firms and a major local employer of skilled cabinet makers and upholsterers. At their height they operated 39 furniture galleries covering some 40,000 square feet. Their reputation for quality resulted in a Royal Appointment to Queen Victoria in 1889, with the firm undertaking upholstery and drapery work at Windsor Castle. The company continued trading until 1960.
A handsome and substantial piece of Victorian furniture that would work particularly well as a library table, centre table or large occasional table, with enough presence to anchor a room without being overly large.
Dimensions: 118cm wide × 118cm deep × 73cm high.