catalog text
AMERICAN FEDERAL INLAID-MAHOGANY GAMES TABLE
North Shore, Massachusetts | ca. 1810 | Provenance: Bernard and S. Dean Levy, Inc. New York, label retained verso
Item # 401PKI25A
A very fine American Federal period card table from the Northern Shore of Massachusetts during the first quarter of the 19th century, it features a gentle serpentine form, the front with a cupid's bow curvature that follows through in the undulating sides. This is made more evident when the top is opened and the perfect symmetry of the curves comes into view. Turrets in each corner of the top conform to the columnar legs.
Note the superior selections of mahogany in the table throughout. The planks selected for the top have a most pleasing grain profile and appear to have been selected from the same tree and reversed so that the subtle grain matches up on the inner edge and the more chaotic curving profile of the grain is on the outside borders of the table top when opened. The upper leaf has a delicate checkered and stringer inlaid border while the edge of the lower leaf is cove-molded in a way that lightens the lines of the top beautifully.
The apron is divided into thirds and is embellished with brilliant flamed birch veneers, bringing a touch of drama to the surface with chaotic grain movement and intense color variation.
A series of molded rings in the front corners of the apron transition flawlessly into the legs, these are finely conceived and executed with their distinctive ring-and-vase turnings at the top over an exaggerated reeding in the leg that tapers graudually to become quite thin at the ankle over simple ring-turned toupie feet.
The table was formerly with the firm of Bernard and Dean Levy (now Levy Galleries) of New York and an old label of theirs is affixed to the reverse of the table.
Measurements: 29" H x 17 1/4" D [closed] x 34 3/8" D [opened] x 36" W
Condition Report:
Old veneer repairs throughout with repaired cracks here and there in the surfaces; faint shrinkage crack in the top; scuffs and discolorations to the top as expected from age and use, various stains/scars on the topmost plank; inactive pest damage to secondary woods; old surface, probably refreshed in the last fifty years; a very fine presentation.