A fine mid Victorian harewood writing table attributed to Holland and Sons

A fine mid Victorian harewood writing table attributed to Holland and Sons, the rectangular top with a central tooled leather surface to tulipwood banding and an egg and dart gilt brass edge above two frieze drawers banded with purple heart and inlaid a diaper motif, with conforming sides and a dummy reverse, on square tapering supports headed by ormolu paterae and mounted with tassellated drapes, terminating in acanthus and on ball feet, 29.25in (74.2cm) h, 42in (106.6cm) w, 24.25in (61.5cm) d. ¦We believe this table to be a fine example of the work of the leading Victorian cabinet makers Holland & Sons. The business started in 1803 by Stephen Taprell and William Holland (who was certainly related to the architect Henry Holland), became Holland & Sons in 1843. During the next thirty years the firm established its reputation at various international exhibitions including Paris in 1855. Commissions from various members of the Royal family included work at Buckingham Palace, Osborne House, Balmoral and Marlborough House. This present lot is typical of the fashion for French influenced furniture at the time and is very similar to a marquetry inlaid writing table with the inventory stamp of Queen Alexandra, wife of King Edward VII (1901-10) which was with the Alexander Gallery, 1976. ¦