$17,775
Rare Federal Mahogany Inlaid Chamber Table, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 1795-1805, the top on a bowfronted case of three drawers bordered by stringing and crossbanding, joining square double-tapering legs inlaid with leafy vines and stringing and ending in cuffs, brasses appear to be original, (minor imperfections), refinished, ht. 32 3/4, wd. 35, dp. 21 in. Provenance: Sotheby's, New York, Sale 5551, lot 1244, January 1987. Literature: American Furniture of the Federal Period, 1788-1825, Charles Montgomery, New York, 1966, shows a very similar example of this form as plate 335, p. 333-34. Portsmouth Furniture: Masterpieces from the New Hampshire Seacoast, Brock Jobe, SPNEA, 1993, pp. 143-44, no. 21, shows a piece with stylistic similarities. crossbanded edge of top probably replaced. Small veneer patch at left front corner of top. Several shrinkage cracks in the veneered top, following the grain. several small screw holes are evident where the top was reattached at a later date - those screws now removed. Original screw holes plugged with wood so that they could continue their original function. Original brasses show a good shadow behind them - though there are a couple new nuts affixing the posts. Minor replacements to inlaid elements - mostly lower edge of case, and cuffs. All of this restoration (minor in nature) done with expertise and subtlety.
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2011-11-05
