A Napoleon III gilt bronze mounted amaranth, birds' eye maple, amboyna, rosewood, sycamore and fruitwood marquetry table a ouvrage retailed in the late 19th century by Edwards and RobertsA Napoleon III gilt bronze mounted amaranth, birds' eye maple, amboyna, rosewood, sycamore and fruitwood marquetry table a ouvrageretailed in the late 19th century by Edwards and RobertsCira 1870, the hinged top inlaid with a central flower-filled and floral swagged Neoclassical urn, scrolled acanthus and berried foliage, a flowerhead medallion, drapery swags and interlaced geometric tablet borders, the top with a mirror-inset underside, enclosing two lidded demi-lune compartments flanking a central well, above a stylised Greek key inlaid frieze incorporating one drawer, the drawer enclosing a partially concealed divided drawer, on four ring turned and fluted tapering legs, with a shaped X-stretcher centred by a rosette mounted oval, terminating in toupie feet, one paper label to the underside is printed: 'EDWARDS & ROBERTS, SECOND HAND FURNISHING WAREHOUSES, IN MODERN & ANTIQUE FURNITURE, 20 & 21 WARDOUR ST. AND 7 & 13 CHAPEL ST., OXFORD ST., LONDON, and the other printed paper label: 'H.S. ASHBEE', 69cm wide x 40cm deep x 78cm high, (27in wide x 15 1/2in deep x 30 1/2in high)ProvenanceThe offered lot apparently originally belonged to Mrs H.S. Ashbee, since there is a late Victorian paper label to the underside of the table which is printed with her name on it. It is documented that Mrs H.S. Ashbee, who was the mother of the renowned Arts and Crafts cabinet maker Charles Robert Ashbee (1863-1942), lived at 37 Cheyne Walk, London, where the family collection was evidently located at that time, www.artfund.orgIt is also unquestionably the case that the firm of Edwards and Roberts (fl. 1845-1899), at one point during the final quarter of the 19th century, sold the present table in their dual capacity as furniture dealers and cabinet makers.Further suggested reading on the Edwards and Roberts business available at bifmo.history.ac.uk