George IV mahogany extending dining table with label for Joseph Bexfield, Norwich, sold for £7200 at Aldridges of Bath.
Notably it retained the cabinet maker’s label for Joseph Bexfield, Norwich.
Bexfield, who worked in a family business as a cabinetmaker, upholsterer and mahogany merchant from Pottergate Street, merits a number of mentions in local trade directories and newspaper ads from c.1810-38.
The online directory of British & Irish Furniture Makers records an advert in the Norfolk Chronicle on February 24, 1831, in which he invites the public to inspect ‘a set of tables made of Norfolk Variegate Oak, which he has had the honour to design and execute for His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, and which will remain at his Warerooms for a few days previous to their being removed to Kensington Palace’.
The label for Joseph Bexfield, Norwich on the George IV dining table.
Another in the Norwich Mercury on July 5, 1834, lists his stock of ‘sideboards, dining tables, loo, card, Pembroke, and other tables, couches, chairs, cheffioneers, wardrobes, glasses, &c., and a general assortment of Upholdery Goods [sic]’.
However, the business closed in 1838.
An advert in the Mercury dated August 25 that year offered the ‘Premises, situated in Pottergate Street, next the Friends Meeting House, now in the occupation of Mr Joseph Bexfield (who declines the Cabinet Business) consisting of shop, extensive warehouses, wood-yard, saw-pit, workshops and drying lofts attached. The Stock in Trade, Utensils, &c. may be taken at a valuation if desired…’
The table offered at Aldridges of Bath on July 26 was a fine example of its type with eight turned and reeded tapering legs on brass castors, a patent, wind-out mechanism and three additional leaves that take it to 10ft (4m) long.
Estimated at £800-1200 it sold to an online bidder via thesaleroom.com at £7200.
