THE POYLE PARK TABLES

A pair of George II giltwood eagle console tables. These eagle tables have an interesting history. Originally they furnished a panelled room at Poyle Park in Surrey, England, which was photographed for an article by R. W. Symonds in the late 1920s. The photograph was used by Symonds again for an article in the early 1930s where he records the origin of the tables as a house in Surrey. Further research has revealed that this house was Poyle Park.
The panelled room, complete with its tables, mirrors and chandelier, was then sold off and became part of an American collection. Eventually the mirrors were separated from the panelling, and the mirrors and the chandelier have since then crossed the Atlantic four times.
Note: The tables were re-gilded in the 20th century and the marble tops were changed prior to 1930.

Literature: Illustrated:
R. W. Symonds, ‘English Eagle and Dolphin Console Tables’, Antiques, vol. XVIII, 4 October 1930, p. 306, figs. 3 & 4.
R. W. Symonds, ‘The vogue for the eagle table’, Country Life, 10 January 1957, pp. 52-3, figs. 3-5.
Frank Partridge & Sons Ltd., ‘Summer Exhibition June 1965’, catalogue, p. 2; one of the pair.
F. Lewis Hinckley, Masterpieces of Queen Anne and Georgian Furniture, 1991, p. 56, pl. 38; one of the pair.

Provenance

Commissioned by Henry Chester, Poyle Park, Surrey, England, until the 1920s.
Edwards & Son Ltd., London, England.
Private collection, Washington, DC, USA, until 1945.
Collection of Mrs. Duncan Douglas, Rhode Island, USA, until 1948.
Private collection, USA.
Frank Partridge & Sons Ltd., London, England.
Collection of John T. Dorrance Jr., USA.
Private collection, Connecticut, USA.