Images(7)

Card Table

Date1765-1790

OriginAmerica, Maryland or Virginia, Eastern

MediumMahogany, white pine, tulip poplar, yellow pine, and ash

DimensionsOH: 28 ½”; OW: 34 ¼”; OD (closed): 16 7/8”; OD (open): 33 7/8”

Credit LineGift of Susan W. Redd and Martha W. McMurran

Object number2015-167

DescriptionAppearance: Rectangular top card table with folding top; top has molded edges; straight skirt with long drawer in front with central bail and rosette pull (replaced) and scratch beaded edge; straight legs molded on outer faces and chamfered on inner corners; missing an applied bead around top of legs and bottom of skirt and brackets between the legs and skirt; proper right rear leg swings open to support top; edge tenon on rear edge of fixed top fits into corresponding mortise on folding top when top opened; swing leg overlaps side rails when closed.

Construction: Front top rail is probably dovetailed to the tops of the front legs; front lower rail is in narrow dados in the sides of the legs; side rails are tenoned into the front legs; proper left side rail is tenoned into the proper left rear leg; proper right side rail is half blind dovetailed to the inner fixed rear rail; corner of dovetail joint relieved with a rabbet to receive front top corner of proper right rear leg when closed; fixed inner rear rail is nailed with rosehead nails from the interior to the fixed portion of the outer hinged rail; a small vertical block is attached to the inside, front face of the proper left rear leg at the end of the inner rear rail; fixed and swing portions of hinged rail are tenoned to rear legs; rounded knuckle joint joins the fixed and swing portions of the outer hinged rear rail; front face of proper right rear leg is mostly relieved with only a small piece of the side at the front remaining that overlaps the side rail and inner rear rail when closed; top is attached with two screws in pockets in the inner fixed rear rail and two screws through the underside of the top front rail; small chamfered rectangular glue blocks reinforce the frame and top joint along the front, back and sides; one piece drawer support and guide (L shaped) nailed to table sides through guide portions; vertical blocks glued to sides between drawer guides and table top at front and back corners; added medial block nailed to underside of top presumably to prevent the drawer from tipping.

Woods: mahogany primary, white pine drawer bottom and blocking; tulip poplar drawer sides; ash swing rail; yellow pine drawer supports and stay rail
ProvenanceThis card table descended in the Gregory and Warburton family of Charles City and James City Counties and Williamsburg, Virginia. The donor’s father’s family lived at Pinewoods in James City County until the beginning of the 20th century when they moved to the Peyton Randolph House in Williamsburg. Later in the 20th century they moved to 402 Scotland Street.