Images(3)

Side table

Date1815 (dated)

Artist/Maker Lemuel Bishop

OriginAmerica, Vermont, Charlotte

MediumCherry; mahogany; birch; white pine; and ivory or bone

DimensionsOH: 27 1/2" OW: 21 1/4" OD: 17 1/2"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1994-161

DescriptionAPPEARANCE: one drawer stand with perimeter banding around top, wavy quarter fan corner inlays, central color contrasted ovoid band around central wavy patera; contrasted light/dark edge banding around top; ovoid inlays at tops of front legs; wavy patera on center of drawer with attenuated bone knob framed by diamond and contrasted angle inlay panels, wavy quarter fan inlays, light/dark perimeter banding; dark banding with light string borders around bottom of rails; "icicle" or "carrot" inlay on upper front facades front legs with dark string borders and descending stylized bellflower, stringing on front facade of front legs terminating above dark ankle banding with color contrasted string borders set into front and sides of legs.

CONSTRUCTION: two board top attached to frame with countersunk screws driven through rails and upper drawer blade, which is tenoned into the upper leg stiles; rails traditionally mortise-and-tenoned to legs; drawer supports nailed to side rails, surmounted by thin drawer guides that are glued in place; drawer sides conventionally dovetailed, bottom panel chamfered on front and sides, set into corresponding grooves, nailed at rear with outer portions extending a quarter inch past rear rail; drawer cock beading nailed and glued in place; bone knob with rounded tenon that penetrates veneered and decoratively inlaid drawer facade.

MATERIALS: Cherry top and rails; mahogany veneer drawer facade and inlays including ankle banding, ovoids at top of legs, perimeter banding around top and skirt; birch legs, patera inlays, "icicle" inlays, contrasted banding around drawer, top, upper patera, and ankles; stained birch stringing; white pine drawer secondaries, drawer runners and guides; ivory or bone knob.
InscribedOval hand written label on laid paper label on bottom of drawer panel decorated and inscribed in ink reads "Made By/ Lemuel Bishop/ Charlotte/ 1815; pencil inscription on back rear rail reads "S.V. Fleming 86 Ea(V?), St. Johnsbury VT."
ProvenanceSold at National Art Galleries, King Hooper sale, New York City, December 1931, lot 325. Later owned by Mr. and Mrs. Francis P. Garvin; then by descent to current owner, Karen Garvan Noble.