A fine mid-19th Century maplewood table, the octagonal top inlaid a continuous border of alternating shamrock, thistle and rose within scrolling reserves, the border with egg and dart gilded moulding, the cushion frieze mounted acanthus leaves and clustered moulding, raised on a parcel gilt square waisted central column and egg and dart giltwood border with quadruple support and hair claw feet, the tip-up top 183cm diameter/Note: Formerly in the collection of singer and musician Roger Whittaker at Cubberley House, Herefordshire, the table was acquired by his successor and has was one of several items from the Whittaker collection to remain at Cubberley. To a design by Henry Whitaker (active 1825-1847), an influential designer throughout the second quarter of the 19th Century, this table probably formed part of the suite made by Whitaker for the Conservative and Unionist Club founded in 1844. Another table from this suite and currently on loan to Astley Hall, Lancashire was acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1960. Both mahogany tables are veneered in maple with marquetry borders inlaid roses, shamrocks and thistles (representing the Act of the Union, the founding origins of the Conservative and Unionist Party) and later gilded highlights on the Cubberley table are the only difference in decoration. Henry Whitaker published leading directories of the period including, 1825 Designs of Cabinet and Upholstery Furniture in the next modern style; 1827 Five Etchings from the Antique; 1847 The Practical Cabinet Maker and Upholsterer's Treasury of Design. His clients included Queen Victoria at Osborne House, the Dukes of Devonshire and Northumberland and the Marquis of Exeter. See also Edward Joy Pictorial Dictionary of British 19th Century Design and P Floyd The Complete Connoisseur Period Guides: Early Victorian Furniture/