A GEORGE II MAHOGANY TEA TABLE

Many fine pieces of mid-18th Century case furniture, particularly card tables, have 'H.TIBATS' stamped on their concertina-action hinges. The stamp almost certainly refers to Hugh Tibbatts, 'hinge and sash fastening maker' of Bell Street Wolverhampton, listed in The Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Wallsall, Dudley, Bilston and Willenhall Directory, 1781. There appears to be no mention of Tibats or Tibbats (the spelling of the name varies) in the West Midlands area after 1781.