Images(4)

Breakfast Table

Date1790-1810

OriginAmerica, New York, New York City

MediumMahogany, satinwood, white pine, and brass

DimensionsOH: 28 1/2"; OW (open): 36 1/8"; W (closed): 30"; OD: 31"

Credit LineGift of Lynn Blasso in memory of Serita Moore Garben

Object number2024-14

DescriptionNeoclassical mahogany veneered breakfast table with two drop leaves; leaves square with ovolo corners outlined with lightwood string about 1" from edge around entire top; square edges of top inlaid with lightwood on upper and lower corners of edge; leaves supported with open by angular, shaped fly rails; drawer in one end with stamped brass oval backplate and ring pull; drawer and matching faux drawer at other end veneered with mahogany pointed oval in center outlined by light and dark strings, surrounded by satin wood with dark string outlining rectangular drawer front; skirt of ends and around corners edged with triple light, dark, light banding; oval rosebud patterae on green background inlaid into tops of legs and outlined with rectangle of lightwood string; square tapered legs outlined with lightwood string terminating in a triple banding of light, dark, light, and a narrow dark string above a lightwood cuff around foot about 3" from bade of foot; legs inlaid with lightwood string V shape at top, dark dot, two lightwood string connected ovals terminating in a lightwood bellflower and oval dot.
Label TextLike many New York breakfast tables, this example has a fashionable square top with ovolo corners and is inlaid and veneered with strongly contrasting woods including string inlay of ovals descending the legs to a bellflower. William Whitehead and other New York cabinetmakers used similar motifs in their work, creating elegant and sophisticated neoclassical furniture. Family history suggests that this table was originally owned by Richard Channing Moore (1762-1841) and Sarah Messereau Moore (1769-1824) of New York and Richmond, Virginia, in whose family it descended.
ProvenanceDescended in donor’s family. Believed to have originally been owned by donor’s 5th-great grandfather, Richard Channing Moore (1762-1841) of New York City and Richmond, Virginia. Possible line of descent: Richard Channing Moore (1762-1841) and Sarah Messereau Moore (1769-1824) of New York and Richmond, Virginia; to son Stephen Van Rensselaer Moore (1800-1883) and Evelina R. Butler Moore (1807-1864) of New York and Newark, NJ; to son Richard C. W. Moore (1830-1872 and Matilda Hennessy Moore (1743-1921) of New York and Brooklyn, NY; to son Frederick S. Moore (1867-1949) and Clara Eva Gardner Moore (1867-1955) of Syracuse, Patchogue, and Islip, New York; to daughter Clara Sarita Moore Garben (1900-1987) and Louis Francis Garben (1889-1964) of Suffolk County (Patchogue and Islip), New York; to son Bruce Garben Jr. (1930-2018) and June Anne Zajicek Garben (1938-2020) of Suffolk County, New York; to donor.