Rhode Island Furniture Archive - Yale University Art Gallery

Photo: Courtesy Sotheby's, New York Click the image to enlarge	Tilt-top table
	Object number RIF3062
	Maker Maker Unknown Maker, formerly attributed to John Goddard, American, 1723–1785
	Dimensions Height: 27 3/4 in. (70.49 cm) Diameter, top: 29 1/4 in. (74.3 cm)
	Date 1750–80
	Current location Unknown
	Geography Made in Newport, Rhode Island (view a map of Rhode Island)
	Medium Mahogany (primary); birch (block)
	Marks None
	Inscriptions None
	Provenance Private collection; consigned to Sotheby's, New York, January 21–22, 2000, lot 674. Private Southern collection; consigned to Sotheby's, New York, January 18–19, 2008, lot 210
	Associated names Private collection Sotheby's
	Construction The circular, single-board top has an edge which is raised, molded, and slightly stepped at the transition to its underside, which is fitted with two cleats, with curved end profiles and ogee profiles at the transitions to deeper, middle portions, each cleat fixed to it with four flat-head screws and one dome-top screw apiece. The underside bears marks from having been attached to a face plate during turning. Dowels, integral with the pedestal top and fitted into the cleats, allow the top to tilt in such a way as to have the table sit in the corner of a room when not in use. A circular brass catch latch locks the top to its rectangular pedestal top in a brass plate. The rectangular wedged top of the vasiform pedestal is visible through the top of the block. The sides of the pedestal have been shaved flat where the legs attach. Those joints are concealed by three wrought-iron straps, affixed to the underside of the pedestal (where they overlap), and to the legs, with flat-head screws. The cabriole legs are rounded on top, flat on their underside, chamfered under their thin ankles, and terminate in stylized ball and claw feet. Examined by P.E. Kane, January 6, 2008; notes compiled by T.B. Lloyd
	Bibliography Sotheby's, New York, Important Americana, sale cat. (January 21–22, 2000), 344, lot 674, ill. Sotheby's, New York, Important Americana, sale cat. (January 18–19, 2008), 206, lot 210, ill.