A GEORGE III OCTAGONAL MAHOGANY LIBRARY TABLE BY JOHN THOMPSON OF DURHAM

A GEORGE III OCTAGONAL MAHOGANY LIBRARY TABLE BY JOHN THOMPSON OF DURHAM, 1802-19 the octagonal top with tooled leather inset writing surface and reeded edge, the frieze with reed moulded drawers alternating with blind drawers, on conforming pillar and quadruple legs with brass castors, 78cm h; 113 x 113cm, maker's printed trade label of I Thompson Upholsterer & Cabinet Maker Sadler St Durham engraved by Adolpho 326 Oxford Strt LondonJohn Thompson, cabinet maker, is known to have subscribed to Sheraton's Drawing Book in 1793 and the Cabinet Directory in 1803. He advertised in the Newcastle Courant in March 1802 for one or two hands, stating that "none but good workmen need offer." He retired in 1819, transferring the business to his sons. The present handsome library table, which was acquired by the present owners in the early 1970s is that referred to in the Directory of English Furniture Makers 1660-1840 (p. 886) and was that presumably illustrated Antique Collector, September 1973, p28, fig1.