Images(2)

Tea Table

Dateca. 1738

OriginAmerica, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

MediumBlack walnut

DimensionsH (open): 26 ½”; OH (top tilted up): 43”; OW: 30 ¾”; OD: 31 ½”

Credit LineGift of Beatrix T. Rumford

Object number2020-49

DescriptionRound tilt top tea table; round top with integral molded edge; top currently three boards but likely was originally one board with center section replaced at a later date; top locks to bird cage with brass lock; underside of top has two shaped battens (replaced) hinged to round tenons extending from the top of birdcage; birdcage composed of two square blocks with four baluster shaped supports between them that fits over the top of the pedestal and locks with a molded, turned collar and wedge shaped key (replaced); pedestal composed of a slightly shaped baluster with a ring turning about 1 ½” from top and double ring turnings at base; three cabriole legs with pad feet connect to triform shaped block at bottom of baluster; iron spider nailed and screwed to underside of block and legs.
Label TextThis tea table was given to David and Mary LeFevre Deshler at the time of their marriage in Philadelphia in 1738. It descended in the Deshler/Robets/Rumford family of Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware. As an early example of a round Philadelphia tea table, the pedestal shape does not match what shortly after this date became a more standard design in Philadelphia of either a baluster and ring or ball and ring turning. Indeed, the triform base into which the legs join is only seen on tables of this type for a few years in the city, from the early to mid-1730s. Another tea table dated 1730-1735 in the Philadelphia Museum of Art Collection (1928-7-110) that was originally owned by Beulah and Thomas Paschall of Philadelphia illustrates the same design in its base.
ProvenanceThis tea table was a gift to Mary LeFevre (1715-1774) and David Deshler (1711-1792) both of Philadelphia at the time of their marriage in 1738. Descended to their daughter Catherine Deshler Roberts (1752-1837); to her daughter Elizabeth Roberts Canby (1781-1868); to her son Samuel Canby (1811-1875); to his daughter Elizabeth Morris Canby Rumford (1848-1933); to her son Samuel Canby Rumford (1876-1950); to his son Lewis Rumford III (1905-1997); to his daughter Beatrix Tyson Rumford (b. 1939).