Important & Rare George III Harewood & Satinwood Pembroke Table

Attributed to Mayhew & Ince | Circa 1780 | Museum Quality Masterpiece

An outstanding George III Pembroke table, attributed to the celebrated London partnership Mayhew & Ince, circa 1780. This remarkable piece is one of the finest Pembroke tables of the 18th century, combining superb veneers, elegant proportions, and the most refined craftsmanship of the period.

The top is centred by a beautifully figured West Indian satinwood oval, crossbanded in striking Kingwood, and framed by boxwood and mahogany lines. This is surrounded by exquisite harewood veneers – rare for their shimmering silver-green tone – with an additional Kingwood crossband and ebonised moulded edge. Beneath, the mahogany-lined bowed drawer and corresponding faux drawer exhibit Kingwood crossbanding, while the table stands on tapering legs, each inlaid with holly to simulate fluting, strung with boxwood, and retaining their original leather and brass casters. The entire surface is laid on fine Honduras mahogany, a prized timber usually reserved for show wood, here used even as a substrate – further testament to its exceptional quality.

• Width (closed): 20.25 in (51.5 cm)

• Width (open): 37.75 in (96 cm)

• Height: 28.25 in (71.5 cm)

• Depth: 28.5 in (72.5 cm)

Materials of Distinction

Harewood – a rare sycamore veneer treated with ferrous sulphate to create its characteristic silver-grey/green hue. Reserved for the most luxurious commissions, harewood was extraordinarily expensive to produce. This table demonstrates its beauty both in the mellowed patina of age and in hidden areas, where the original silvery-green tone still survives.

West Indian Satinwood – the most desirable satinwood variety of the 18th century, prized for its golden colour and fine texture. Introduced to cabinetmaking only in the 1760s, it quickly became a mark of aristocratic taste.

Kingwood – an exotic purple-brown wood, used almost exclusively for the finest inlays. Its presence here emphasises the elite status of the table.

Mayhew & Ince: Masters of Neoclassical Furniture

Established in the 1750s, William Ince and John Mayhew quickly rose to prominence as leading cabinetmakers to the aristocracy. Their publication, The Universal System of Household Furniture (1762), rivalled Chippendale’s Director and cemented their reputation.

Working closely with Robert Adam, they produced some of the most important neoclassical furniture of the era, including commissions for Audley End, Kimbolton Castle, and Daylesford House. Their use of marquetry and inlaid exotic timbers set them apart from their contemporaries, reflecting both classical taste and technical mastery.

This Pembroke table displays all the hallmarks of their workshop: refined inlays, daring combinations of exotic veneers, and a harmony of design that balances elegance with grandeur.

Significance

• Attributed to Mayhew & Ince, among the most important English cabinetmakers of the 18th century

• Outstanding veneers: harewood, West Indian satinwood, and Kingwood in a highly sophisticated composition

• Museum quality: an object of true rarity and refinement

• Excellent condition, with original castors and glorious patina

A masterpiece of George III furniture, embodying the very height of English neoclassical design.

Click here to see our Georgian Furniture Style Guide.

Further Reading
http://www.incemayhew.net/