A VERY RARE IRISH WALNUT CUTLERY STAND, c.1740, the rectangular divided top with a continuous frieze, of arched strap-work, on a pounced ground, the integral stand with moulded apron centred by shells, on shell capped carved facetted feet. 71 x 42 x 52cm high Although first illustrated in a advertisement in 1965 by the dealers Briggs of Maidenhead this piece demonstrates characteristics typical of Irish cabinet making, in particular the pounced ground. At this date dining rooms or eating parlours tended to be arranged around the spontaneous laying out of small tables, usually tilt-top, requiring easily managed containers for cutlery, decanters and wine bottles. Dining rooms evolved into the most considered room in the house, requiring more elaborate stands (see lot , the Hamwood decanter stand) and culminating in the Regency period where the sideboard was the most expensive piece of furniture required for the house, dining and serving tables following and the place of the earlier stands taken by buckets (see lot XX a true pair). These were essential for supplying and taking away whilst the gentlemen caroused. For some reason English catalogues refer to these as 'peat' buckets which is erroneous.