Lot Essay
A closely related oval pembroke table at Corsham Court with 'lozenge' pattern top has been attributed by Lucy Wood to the cabinet-maker Henry Hill (L. Wood, Catalogue of Commodes, London, 1994, p. 68, fig. 49). Hill was active as a cabinet-maker, coach-maker and auctioneer among other things in Marlborough from around 1740 until his death in 1778. Between 1760 and 1778, he supplied over £1,300 in furniture for Lord Methuen at Corsham Court, Wiltshire. Another marquetry table of similar design was at Burderop House, Wiltshire (L. Wood, 'Furniture for Lord Delaval: Metropolitan and Provincial', Furniture History, 1990, p. 205, figs. 17 & 18). There is much to suggest that these tables are by Hill of Marlborough, in that they are found within the geographical confines of Hill's clientele in and around Marlborough.