DAVID LINLEY: A pair of figured and burr walnut side cabinets, inlaid with macassar ebony, the quarter veneered burr walnut top with a crossbanded edge, over two short burr walnut drawers with turned handles, lined with blue suede, over two quarter veneered doors, with turned handles, in walnut frames, opening to reveal a figured walnut interior with a single adjustable shelf, on a figured walnut plinth base. (2)

90cm high x 130cm wide x 50cm deep

Additional images have been included showing the installation of the table, chairs and side cabinets in Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery in May 1998

Notes: Made by David Linley Furniture to a special commission for the twenty fourth G8 summit, held in Birmingham at the International Convention Centre in 1998. The summit was attended by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, American President Bill Clinton, Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien, French President Jacques Chirac, German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto, Russian President Boris Yeltsin, and European Commission President Jacques Santer.

Provenance: This boardroom suite was set up in Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery for use as part of Government Hospitality during the G8 summit in May 1998. A letter which accompanies this lot addressed to David Linley Furniture Ltd states:

'The heads were briefed on its origin and all to a man commented on its spleandour. ....over 7000 people came through the Museum on Saturday and Sunday and the comments book received over 500 accolades as to the room design, the table and the settings.... G8 has been the most successful summit and our client at the FCO is delighted you were able to be part'

The suite was then sold on 8th July 1998 and has remainined in private hands until the present sale.