A mid 19th century Killarney yew and arbutus marquetry games table
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A mid 19th century Killarney yew and arbutus marquetry games table
with chequer and feather inlay, the rectangular swivel hinged top inlaid with an oval depicting Muckross Abbey, encompassed by bracken, thistles and other foliage, enclosing chess, cribbage and backgammon inlaid surfaces within thistle and floral borders, with two pokerwork ovals depicting a thatched cottage and a gothic estate, on an octagonal tapering baluster column, terminating in a shaped quadripartite base and ebonised claw feet, 79cm wide x 42cm deep x 77cm high, (31" wide x 16.5" deep x 30" high)
Sold for £7,500 inc. premium

Footnotes

  • Similar to Tunbridgeware, Killarney manufacturers, such as James Egan and Jeremiah O'Connor, of Main Street Killarney, popularised this form of marquetry in the mid 1830s. O'Connor invited the public to inspect his craftsmen at work on his factory premises to encourage tourists to purchase goods. O'Connor exhibited at The Great Exhibition of 1851 and at subsequent exhibitions in Cork (1852) and Dublin (1853). The Prince of Wales visited Killarney in 1858 and purchased one of O'Connor's tables.

    Arbutus is one of the main timbers used in Killarney marquetry, versatile in the effect created by the use of its veneers with the root, trunk and branches. Other local timbers were used, for example holly, sycamore, maple and yew. The scenes of local tourist spots were based on engravings in guidebooks and topographical works of the area, and the animals and plants applied were those seen whilst touring the countryside.

Category: Furniture / Period Design

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Kate Eskdale Bonhams
Work
Montpelier Street
London, SW7 1HH
United Kingdom
Work +44 20 8963 2815
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Specialist - Period Design