$4,800
Marquetry Oak Drop-leaf Side Table, Peter J. Sargent (American, 1839-1912), Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 1911, the round top inlaid with images of local landmarks and census data, stars, herringbone, sawtooth, and checkerboard pattern with four drop-leaves over a four-part ogee curved base with four carved paw feet on casters topped with carved shells, original surface, (minor imperfections), top dia. 34 1/4, ht. 30 1/2 in. Provenance: Descended in the artist's family to the consignor. Note: A self-taught craftsman, Peter J. Sargent took up the hobby of furniture making and marquetry after retiring from a career as a railroad engineer and mechanic. Having lived in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, at various points during his adult life, the New Hampshire native settled there for his final years, occupying his time with his craft. Known to have produced similar tables for friends, family, and the local Masonic lodge, Sargent designed and executed this table as a visual history of his adopted hometown. Within the central circular portion of the tabletop appears the earliest history of Cedar Rapids. Sargent inlaid the name of the town along with date of its founding (1839) and depicted the earliest log cabins built by the first known European settlers. He used the outer portion of the table's main surface to depict the next generation of growth for the young Midwestern city. Illustrating buildings constructed by the town's earliest industrialists, real estate developers, and even journalist Read more…
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2013-08-11
