A NEAR PAIR OF GEORGE III MAHOGANY SERPENTINE CONCERTINA-ACTION TEA-TABLES

Many fine pieces of mid-18th Century case furniture, particularly card-tables have the stamp 'TIBATS' to their concertina-action hinges, which is regarded a sign of quality. Peter Thornton first suggested that Tibats may have been based in Birmingham, perhaps a rival to the rapidly expanding firm of Boulton and Fothergill (P. Thornton, Furniture History, 1966, vol. II, pp. 44-45, pl. XXII). The stamp probably refers to Hugh Tibbats or Tibats (the spelling varies), 'Hinge and Sash fastening maker' of Bell Street, Wolverhampton, listed in the Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley, Bilston and Willenhall Directory, 1781.