19th Century English Regency Goncalo Alves Console Table

A 19th Century Late Regency Period Goncalo Alves Console Table of Exceptional Quality. This piece is of particularly grand country house scale, suggesting that it was made as part of an important commission. This idea is borne out by the quality of the carving of the piece. The front legs consist of leafy scrolls which terminate in paw feet. It is made throughout with the exotic goncalo alves, sometimes known as tiger wood because of its dramatic striped surface. The amount of striping varies dramatically from tree to tree and the veneer used on this table is of notable figure. The wood comes principally from Brazil and so was used by only the finest of makers for clients who demanded the very best and most fashionable timbers. The quality is demonstrated still further by the treatment of the back legs as they have been given a panelled treatment. The top is thick and sturdy and there is a moulding that separates the top from the frieze. It stands on a plinth base with platform stretcher. The design of the table is certainly highly reminiscent of the work of Gillows. The firm seems to have had a particular fondness for goncalo alves, using it in a number of documented pieces. A beautiful console table of the highest quality and of imposing scale.