Images(2)

Pier table

Date1819-1821

Attributed to Hugh Finlay

OriginAmerica, Maryland, Baltimore

MediumTulip poplar, black walnut, paint, brass, and gilt

DimensionsOH: 34 1/4"; OW: 37"; OD 19"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number2003-1,2

DescriptionAPPEARANCE: Pier table; rectangular straight-sided top decorated with faux-marble painting slightly overhangs straight skirt decorated on front with side by side motifs of crossed torches inset in a wreath flanked by Grecian scrolls and cornucopias; gilt banding around edge of front and sides of skirt; pedestal comprised of three-part column: top part of column cylindrical with single ring turning at bottom, center section made of large beehive or barrel shape with three graduated ring turnings on top and bottom of central cylindrical section mounted with six brass rosettes around center, bottom part of column cylindrical with ring turning on top and anthemion painted on lower half of front, centermost ring turnings on barrel shape and ring turning on top of lower cylindrical section gilded; pedestal supported by x-stretcher base with rectangular legs that terminate in four turned feet (bell shape over short cylinder, over cone; never had castors); legs and cylinder on foot have gilt banding and stringing; scroll shaped wings applied to top of x-stretcher against pedestal, each painted with stylized half anthemion and mounted with matching brass rosette at rounded end; overall rosewood faux-grain painted finish

CONSTRUCTION: TOP: The rectangular wooden top is attached with 6 screws inset in the inside of the frame rails into the bottom of the top. The side rails of the frame are blind miter dovetailed into the front rail with half-lapped dovetails into the rear rail. The center support of the frame is double dovetailed into the bottom of the front and rear rails. PEDASTLE: The pedestal base is comprised of a three-part column and an x-stretcher base. The ringed hub is double tenoned through the medial rail. A rectangular block between the tenons acts as a wedge to tighten each tenon into its mortise; triangular glue blocks on the outside of the tenons further securing them to the medial rail. The bottom of the hub is mortised with a 1½" round tenon (possibly a floating tenon) into the middle section of the column, the top shoulder of which is nailed to the bottom of the hub. BASE: The x-stretcher base is inset, glued and nailed into the bottom of the column with a bridal joint. Wedge shaped blocks are glued into the acute angle of the x-stretcher to replace the removed material. The x-stretcher is formed with a lap joint. Each stretcher terminates in a 1¼" x ¾"tenon which is mortised into a turned foot. Decorative applied wings are attached with glue and two nails: one in the top edge of the wing where it attached to the hub, and one from the back of the lower edge of the wing into the stretcher. MOUNTS: Six brass rosettes are nailed to the turned barrel design in the column. Behind each rosette is an unexplained drilled hole, at least one of which runs through the entire diameter of the column. There is also a brass rosette nailed to the face of each applied wing. Rosettes are matching stamped brass bed bolt covers which were altered to remove both upper and lower nail tabs.
ProvenancePreviously owned by Josiah (elected Attorney General of the State of Maryland in 1831) and Ann H. Bayly, descended in the same family until 2002. Ann H. Bayly's probate inventory, taken June 30, 1857, lists "2 pier tables, gilt $10," 1 mareen sofa & 2 ottomans $8" and "1 doz chairs $20."