A George III harewood, purplewood, tulipwood, engraved fruitwood marquetry, painted and parcel gilt demi-lune pier table 1775-1780, probably by Ince and Mayhew The top inlaid with a central drapery swagged acanthus wrapped, stiff-leaf clasped and husk collared twin-handled Neoclassical urn surmounting a pearled flowerhead oval issuing scrolled acanthus trails terminating in bulrushes, the border with interlaced scrolled foliate inlay and a repeating pattern of rosettes, above a fluted frieze interspersed by five pearled paterae roundels, with a beaded lower edge, on ring turned fluted tapering legs each headed by a lotus-leaf wrapped collar, the blocks terminating in peg feet, losses to the inlay on the top, 160cm wide x 49cm deep x 85cm high, (62 1/2in wide x 19in deep x 33in high) Footnotes: Some of the characteristics which are typically associated with the output of the renowned cabinet making partnership of William Ince and John Mayhew (active 1759-1799) can be seen on the present lot. These include an intelligent use of engraving on many intricate segments of inlay allowing a more detailed level of pictorial representation to marquetry schemes. On the offered table this is visible on many of the scrolled acanthus leaves and on much of the border pattern, but is perhaps most prominent in the large central urn which is ingeniously highlighted through its engraved foliate mouldings, finial and its stiff-leaf wrapped base. The elegant fluted frieze interspersed with paterae is a recurrent aspect of many such pieces executed by the firm of Ince and Mayhew, particularly during the 1770s and circa 1780. This exemplifies the early wave of Neoclassicism which was first made fashionable in Britain by the 1760s designs of Robert Adam. The legs incorporating either stiff-leaf or lotus leaf cappings is another element on the output produced at this time by this famous duo of cabinet makers. Inlay which incorporates a distinctive pearled border, usually for some kind of oval or circular tablet, features on a great deal of furniture made by this famous duo during this period. This same surround encompasses a sunflower oval on the top of the above table and of course combines subtly but effectively with the beaded (or pearled) borders of the carved paterae on its frieze below. A similar marquetry and parcel gilt side table, described as 'probably by Mayhew and Ince', sold Christie's, London, 6 April 2000, Important English Furniture, lot 85. Whilst further related pieces, both attributed to Ince and Mayhew, include a circa 1775 pier table and a console table of similar date. The former sold Christie's, New York, 20 May 2014, Connoisseur's Eye, lot 112, and the latter sold Christie's, London, 10 June 1999, English Furniture, lot 149. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: TP TP For auctions held in Scotland: Please refer to the catalogue and/or after-sale information or contact Edinburgh@Bonhams.com for more information. For all other auctions: Lots will be moved to an offsite storage location (The Packengers, Unit 9, Abbey Mead Industrial Park, Brooker Road, Waltham Abbey, EN9 1HU, England, UK) and will only be available for collection from this location at the date stated in the catalogue and/or after-sale information, sent out to all buyers post-sale. Please note transfer and storage charges will apply to any lots not collected after 10 calendar days from the auction date. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing