image of object
Photo: Courtesy Christie's, New York
Click the image to enlarge

Tilt-top table

Object number

RIF2344

Maker

Maker Job Townsend, Jr., 1726–1778

Dimensions

Height: 24 7/8 in. (63.18 cm) Diameter, top: 23 1/4 in. (59.06 cm)

Date

1760–75

Current location

Unknown

Geography

Made in Newport, Rhode Island
(view a map of Rhode Island)

Medium

Mahogany (primary); chestnut (secondary)

Marks

"Job Townsend / Junr," in chalk, on underside of top

Inscriptions

None

Provenance

Christie's, New York, January 18–19, 2007, lot 568

Associated names

Christie's

Construction

The circular stationary one-piece top has a raised and beaded edge and is joined to a cleat, with chamfered edges and corners, on its underside by a variety of countersunk screws and nails. In the top of the cleat is revealed the square top, with several wedges, of the turned, tapered pedestal below. Attached with one central nail and three countersunk screws (one missing) to the underside of the pedestal is a three-armed wrought iron strap which conceals the joints between the pedestal and the flat-sided, arched-top legs which end in snake feet. The pedestal bears wood pins and nails indicating an old repair. Examined by P.E. Kane and W.S. Braznell, January 15, 2007; notes compiled by T.B. Lloyd

Bibliography

Christie's, New York, Important American Furniture, Folk Art, Silver, Prints, and Decoys, sale cat. (January 18–19, 2007), 280, lot 568, ill.
Lita Solis-Cohen, "Record Hicks Tops Christie's Americana Sale," Maine Antique Digest (March 2007): 37–D, ill.