This week we are showcasing the work of an esteemed 18th Century Irish designer William Moore. Within the 18th Century, Irish furniture design dominated European society with it’s distinguished style. William Moore was incredibly influential during this period. Moore established his workshop in Dublin in 1782 following his attendance to the Dublin Society Drawing School and an apprenticeship with the eminent London based cabinet makers Mayhew & Ince. Incredibly influenced by Mayhew & Ince who had worked on a number of English estates with the Neoclassical architect Robert Adam. This stunning early 19th Century Regency demilune table is beautifully executed and I have included a few detail shots of the exquiste workmanship for you to view.
The semicircular demi-lune design was made fashionable in Ireland in the 1770s and 1780s. Moore is credited with creating the passion for Neo-Classical designs which flourished throughout the great homes of Ireland at the time, having first been introduced to England by Robert Adam.
The radiating fan inlaid top above banded frieze incorporating intricate Neoclassical geometric shapes, beautifully ornamented with flower head and trailing foliate motifs. The three cross beaded drawers with brass pulls and escutcheons raised over tapering square legs with floral inlay terminating on spade foot. Overall, Moore’s design exhibits a true understanding of the veneers that he incorporated into his pieces. Specializing in satinwood items and utilizing other exotic woods.
Moore’s distinguised pieces were some of the most desirable objects of their day. The radiating fan patterns are typical of his work and his use of various themes in the marquetry help identify furniture originating in his shop. These intricate designs included intertwined vines, ribbon-tied swags, bell-flower pendants and shamrocks. Moore’s pieces are conserved in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City; The Victoria and Albert Museum, London; The National Museum of Ireland, Dublin and the Cooper-Hewitt Museum, New York City.
Please feel free to browse through our website to see some of our fine pieces in both our Dublin and New York Galleries. If you have any questions about these pieces, or if we can assist in any other way, we are always happy to hear from you.
