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One of the handful of examples of furniture created by the master's hand that is still in private hands and not in a museum, this majestic Pembroke Table was made for Paxton House in the Scottish Borders. Perfect and luxurious to the last detail, this table features exotic "crocodile" grain mahogany, a rare variety that would have only been used for the most prestigious commissions.
It is believed that the table was made for the estate's drawing room, where it would have been at the centre of attention. The striking "crocodile" grained mahogany is balanced perfectly by the delicate sweep of the cabriole legs. It is known that on pieces he crafted, Chippendale would agonize over every single detail. While this became burdensome from a business perspective, this methodology resulted in the very finest furniture ever made.
The Pembroke table is a light, drop-leaf table designed for occasional use, probably deriving its name from Henry Herbert, 9th Earl of Pembroke (1693–1751), a noted connoisseur and amateur architect. The table has two drawers and flaps on either side that can be raised by brackets on hinges (known as "elbows") to increase its size. Usually provided with casters (it was often used for bedside meals), the legs of the common English versions are supported or reinforced by X-shaped stretchers.
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