A George II brass-inlaid mahogany tea table in the manner of Frederick Hintz, circa 1750

Anthony Fell, 1st December 2009 

This type of table with its lobed top and brass inlay originates from a small group of emigrant cabinetmakers attracted to London during the reign of George II. One maker known to have produced such tables is Moravian cabinet-maker and embellisher of musical instruments Johann Friedrich Hintz (d. 1776). Hintz (also spelt Hinz, Hints and Hinds) traded at 'The Porcupine', Newport Street, and on 22nd May 1738 advertised a sale of 'A Choice Tea-Boards, etc. all curiously [finely wrought] made and inlaid with fine Figures of Brass and Mother of Pearl. They will be sold at a very reasonable rate, the maker Frederick Hintz, designing soon to go abroad' (G. Beard and C. Gilbert, eds., The Dictionary of English Furniture Makers 1660-1840, Leeds, 1986, p.434). Whilst this table does not exhibit the characteristic figural inlay, it does have a lobed dished top frequently associated with Hintz, and the form of the Sale Selection (TBC) General Furniture and Decorations 28 March 2025 | Valuation Number 70377905 | Page 60 stem and the foot of the table closely follows his manner, strongly suggesting he may have been the maker. In addition to Hintz, John Channon and the firm of Landall and Gordon are also known to have produced work of this nature.