Antique English Regency Mahogany Inlaid Side / Occasional Table by Druce & Co. (Circa 1820)

Summary:

• Item: Regency side table
• Circa: 1820
• Period: Georgian / Regency
• Provenance: England, UK
• Wood: Solid mahogany
• Width: 2ft 6⅝”
• Retailer: Druce & Co., Baker St., London
• Refined design
• Over sailed top
• Boxwood & ebony string inlay detail
• Single hand-dovetailed drawer
• Fruitwood drawer linings
• Original brass oval handle & escutcheons
• Straight tapering block legs
• Lovely rich colour & patination
• Solid in joint
• Excellent original condition
• Ideal as a side / hall / writing / occasional table
• Free delivery to England, Wales & southern Scotland*
• Free 14-day UK returns policy

Description:

Here is a fine quality antique English Regency side table, constructed in solid mahogany, with boxwood and ebony inlay, circa 1820, displaying a lovely rich colour, in excellent original condition.  The Regency side table boasts an over sailed top with boxwood & ebony string inlay to the perimeter with a moulded edge.  Below, the single frieze drawer retains the original brass label inside, which reads: “Druce & Co. – Upholsterers & Cabinet Makers – Baker Street, London – From Second Hand Department”.  The fruitwood lined drawer is constructed with hand dovetail joints and runs smoothly, closing flush to the frame.  The drawer front is decorated with boxwood and ebony inlay, featuring cock-beading and retains the original oval brass ribbed handle and back plate.  The Regency side table is raised on four straight tapering block legs; the frame and legs are decorated with further boxwood and ebony inlay.  The Regency side table retains the original top and backboard to the rear; the frame has been constructed in the traditional joined manner for that period.

This Regency side table boasts a lovely rich mahogany colour. The table has been cleaned and French polished, by hand, to a professional standard in our workshop, therefore the colour and patination are of an excellent standard, along with the years of care and cleaning it has received.

This Regency side table would look superb in a variety of rooms from the living room to the hallway, or useful as a lamp, occasional or writing table.  The table would certainly grace any home or office and is a great investment, as it is extremely functional. So, don’t miss out on your chance to own a lovely piece of furniture.

Provenance:

Druce & Co. were a British furniture manufacturer and antique dealers operating in the 19th and 20th century. The company was founded by Thomas Charles Druce (b.1761 – d.1864) in the 1840s and was based in Baker Street and Portman Square, London.

The company was based at 68, 69 & 58 Baker Street in a premises known to contemporaries as The Baker Street Bazaar. Originally a horse and carriage market, the Bazaar became one of the grandest general retail markets in Victorian London. It also became an exhibition site and was host to the famous Madame Tussauds waxwork exhibitions.

In 1825 a furniture department was installed on the upper floor of the bazaar and in 1838 this expanded further to include a workshop. In 1843 the auction-room of the bazaar was converted into a furnishing ironmongery called the Panklibanon (also written as Panclibanon) which made items for the home including fireplaces, stoves and bathtubs.

Thomas Charles Druce was a draper and upholsterer in Regent Street before he acquired control of the bazaar’s furniture department in the 1840s.  Under his management the department grew in size and popularity and in the 1883 edition of A Dictionary of Common Wants Druce & Co. are cited as viable sources for numerous goods. Druce’s entry in the furniture section reads:

“MESSERS DRUCE & CO., have one of the most varied and extensive stocks in the Kingdom. They are manufacturers of the whole of the goods they supply, and are therefore in the position to guarantee the quality of the materials used.”

After his death, the operation of the business was taken over by Thomas’ son, Herbert Druce, from 1864 until 1913.

The premises was severely damaged in a German air raid during WWII in December 1940 and the site was demolished in 1941 and rebuilt. Druce’s department store and auction rooms closed in the 1950s and today only the estate agency faction still continues to operate.

The site was taken over by supermarket chain Marks & Spencer in 1957 where it became the company’s head office. It was their headquarters until 2005 when the premises was sold to London & Regional Properties for £115 million.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Druce_%26_Co.

Condition Report:

Here is a fine quality antique English Regency side table, constructed in solid mahogany, with boxwood and ebony inlay, circa 1820, displaying a lovely rich colour, in excellent original condition.  The Regency side table retains the retains the original brass label inside, which reads: “Druce & Co. – Upholsterers & Cabinet Makers – Baker Street, London – From Second Hand Department”.  Nominal old use marks to the leading edges, frame, top and inside of drawer, but nothing significant considering the age of the item (see photos).  Old ink stains visible to drawer bottom.  The Regency side table, has been cleaned French polished, by hand, to a professional standard in our workshop, therefore the colour and patination are of an excellent standard. The drawer is in good working order and closes flush to the frame. The drawer retains the original brass oval handle and escutcheon.  The drawer is runs smoothly and closes flush to the frame. This Regency side table is well constructed, solid in joint and ready to use.

Dimensions:

Height = 74cm / 29⅛” / 2ft 5⅛”
Width = 74.5cm / 29⅜ / 2ft 5⅜”
Depth = 49.2cm / 19⅜” / 1ft 7⅜”
Knee height = 62.3cm / 24½” / 2ft 0½”

Terms & Conditions:

Before you purchase this item, please ensure you have read and are in agreement with our Terms & Conditions of Sale. If you have any questions regarding our Terms & Conditions of Sale, please contact us to discuss them, before purchasing this item.

Ref. 64328