catalog text
A FINE CHIPPENDALE MAHOGANY SERPENTINE SERVING TABLE
England circa 1770; ex. collection Viscount Rothermere
Item # C104055
An exquisite Chippendale center table, it was carefully designed with an eye for endlessly moving lines. The light profile allows for it this service piece to be moved around the room easily and as such was designed to be viewed beautifully from all angles. It features a brilliant top crafted from a broad single plank of dense fully-figured mahogany framed with a raised rim before a cove-molded lip integral to the plank. This projects gently over the conforming profile of the apron with its exaggerated arches and indelibly thin profile. The apron is faced with rich mahogany veneers set vertical so that the parallel grain flow is continuous around all sides and through the legs; the apron is finished with a bead edge that curves into the legs with raised foliage carvings in the corners. The legs feature bold carvings raised of the solid from the leg with flourishes of foliage in the turret corners; these are bundled in the form of a Fleur-de-lis over tapered and beautifully molded cabriolet legs terminating in scrolled French toes.
The table retains a truly superior early surface, the finish nearly black from oxidization in crevices and throughout areas that have little handling while having a brilliant near ruby hue in the contrasting areas. It is a very fine example of rare form.
Provenance:
- The Collection of the Rt. Hon. Viscount Rothermere
- Christies, Sale 11-12 December, 1941, lot 85 [sold to buyer "Rosendael" for £75-15s; print out of Christie's catalogue included in sale documents]
- G. Sergeant Antiques, Woodbury, CT
- Acquired from the above in 2005 for a private Virginia collection [redacted invoices included with sale documents]
Measurements: 36" W x 23" D x 26 7/8" H
Condition Report:
Restored crack to the underside with an applied fore-aft brace; numerous breaks and repairs to the lip of the table with some residual blemish from imperfect restoration of this lip; two missing blocks to the underside; very old surface finish with rich oxidized crevices and wonderful glowing patina throughout.