An Exceptional Centre Table By George J. Morant of New Bond Street Circa 1845
Constructed in an extensively inlaid satinwood possessing splendid markings and patination, counterpointed with kingwood and tulipwood cross bandings, and finely cast and chased ormolu accents; rising from a scroll footed marquetry inlaid, ormolu mounted and castor shod tripartite base, in the manner of Richard Bridgens’ design number 16, a ‘Marquetrie Table’ shown in his highly regarded opus ‘Furniture with Candelabra & Interior Decoration’, first published in 1833 and revised in 1838; the central column of bulbous form, supporting a circular tilting top, with a central shaped and gilt tooled Morocco leather, extensively and wonderfully inlaid, in stained and etched rare woods, depicting blooms, foliates, moths and butterflies, within the outer foliate cast ormolu guard band, and the apron edged with a sinuous ormolu running floral mount. Stamped to the underside, ‘G. J. Morant, New Bond Street’. London.
DIMENSIONS: H: Dia:
10
REFERENCE:
30.5 in
77 cm
54 in
137 cm
8123
The Morant Dynasty Founded by George Morant (1770-1849) the company went through the following incarnations; Johnson, Morant & Tootle c.1793-1795, as ‘Paper Hangers & Glass Manufacturers’ Johnson & Morant 41 Ludgate Hill, partnership dissolved 1808 Bowen & Morant 81 New Bond Street between 1808-1812 George Morant, 81 New Bond Street 1812-1827 G. Morant & Son 1828-1841 George John Morant 1842-1851 Morant & Boyd 1851-1859 Morant Boyd & Morant 1859-1867 Morant, Boyd & Morant & Co. 1868-1869 Morant, Boyd & Blandford 1870-1884 Morant & Co 1885-1915, 7 Woodstock Street with Messrs Jeandon & Lengyon.
‘The Dictionary of English Furniture Makers 16601840’, published by the Furniture History Society informs that Morant Snr. was a maker of carved and gilded frames from early in the reign of George IV, and his trade card describes the company as ‘Ornamental Painter & Paper Hanging Manufacturer to their Royal Highnesses’. Work was executed for Sir Thomas Lawrence, Sir Robert Peel, the Dukes of Sussex, Cambridge and Sutherland, inter alia. The company exhibited in the Great Exhibition of 1851, the New York International Exhibition of 1853, and the London International Exhibition of 1862. ‘Masterpieces of Industrial Art & Sculpture, edited by J.B.Waring, published in 1862 illustrates a wonderful sideboard made for Lord Ellesmere, that was shown at this exhibition. A Royal Warrant was granted in 1840, by Queen Victoria. Throughout the Nineteenth Century, they were recognised as one of England’s most eminent cabinet makers.