Images(2)

Pier table, one of pair

Date1780-1795

OriginEngland

MediumSatinwood, deal, rosewood, boxwood

DimensionsOH: 32 3/8"; OW: 32"; OD: 16 1/2"

Credit LineGift of Mr. & Mrs. Joseph H. Hennage.

Object number1968-788,2

DescriptionAppearance: Side table with flat, semi-circular top, rounded at front; straight across back; top veneered and bordered with series of veneered bands of varying color and width, cross banded around edges; edge of top crossbanded; semi-circular skirt following contour of top; front of skirt divided into three panels by upward extension of legs; each panel veneered with central rectangle and bordered by light and dark string inlay and crossbanded around perimeter; slightly raised banding along base of skirt; tables supported on four square, tapering legs, one at either end, two at front; face of upward extension of each legs inlaid with oval pattera; corners of legs bordered with stringing of dark veneer; legs terminate in high, tapering spade feet with prominent molded cuff at point where legs join top of foot.

Construction: The frame is comprised of a back rail and curved front and side rails, each of which are tenoned into the tapered satinwood legs terminating in spade feet. The curved front and side rails are each comprised of six thin vertically laminated boards veneered with rosewood and satinwood. The back rail is veneered with satinwood.

The back rail is comprised of two laminated boards tenoned into the back legs and flush with them. A third board is nailed (wrought nails) and screwed (handmade screws) from the front to the front of the back rail. The board over-laps the inside surface of the back legs where, on each side, it is set in a notch in the curved side rails. Quarter-round vertical glue blocks strengthen the joining of the back and side rails.
A vertical medial rail is half-dovetailed to the inside of the front rail and to the center of the inner back rail.

The top is secured to the frame with pocket screws from the front rail and inside back rail.
Label TextContrasting light and dark veneers were often used in neoclassical furniture, typically with the lighter wood forming an inlaid accent against a darker ground. On occasion the woods were reversed so that satinwood, a figured light-colored wood, was used with darker inlaid accents of rosewood (as here) or mahogany. The use of inlaid oval patterae at the top of the table legs and the tapered legs themselves were typical elements of this style of furniture.
ProvenanceDonors purchased from Arthur Ackermann & Son, Inc in 1964