A REGENCY ORMOLU-MOUNTED CALAMANDER AND ROSEWOOD WRITING-TABLE

The writing-table in black-figured calamander with pearled borders is designed in the 'Grecian' taste promoted around 1800 by the connoiseur, Thomas Hope, and illustrated in his Household Furniture and Interior Decoration (1807). It relates to a group of furniture associated with the Regency cabinet-maker, John McLean & Son of Upper Marylebone Street and Pancras Street, Tottenham Court Road. His work is characterised by the use of richly grained veneers highlighted by brass mounts and restrained neoclassical form. The distinctive star-form mount drawer pull features on a rosewood sofa table by McLean, illustrated in S. Redburn, 'John McLean and Son', Furniture History, 1978, vol. XIV, pl. 41B.
A writing-table of this model formerly in the collection of the 5th Baron Brownlow at Belton House, Lincolnshire sold Christie's, New York, 17 October 2003, lot 176 (£41,825). Another similar was sold, Christie's, London, 11 November 1999, lot 60 (£54,300). A further smaller example, probably supplied to Philip John Miles at Leigh Court, Somerset in around 1814 was sold Christie's, London, 6 April 2000, lot 30 (£75,250).