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Photo: Courtesy Northeast Auctions, Hampton and Portsmouth, N.H.
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Tavern table

Object number

RIF5058

Maker

Maker Unknown

Dimensions

45.1 × 69.9 × 45.1 cm (17 3/4 × 27 1/2 × 17 3/4 in.)

Date

1710–40

Current location

Unknown

Geography

Made in, Possibly made in Rhode Island
(view a map of Rhode Island)

Medium

Maple (primary); beech (rails); chestnut (cross brace)

Marks

None

Inscriptions

None

Provenance

Marcus Austin Fine (1927–1986) and Jill R. Fine (1929–2009), Baltimore, Maryland; consigned by their estate to Northeast Auctions, Hampton and Portsmouth, New Hampshire (sale held Manchester, New Hampshire), August 7, 2010, lot 602

Associated names

Marcus Austin Fine
Northeast Auctions
Jill R. Fine

Construction

The circular, one-board top has a raised and molded edge. Affixed to its underside are two long cleats with shaped ends and square profiles, each secured with five surface-mounted screws-two in each lower, longer portion, and one in each deeper, central portion. Within the cleats are holes containing pins attached to a square block, allowing the top to tilt. The arrangement of tilting top and tripod base allows the table to stand in a corner when not in use. Attached with screws to the underside of the top opposite the hinged side of the block is a circular brass catch latch. The pedestal below has a turned capital above a tapered shaft and turned base. The three flat-side, arched-topped cabriole legs end in shod snake feet. A one-piece, three-arm wrought iron strap is attached to the underside of the pedestal and each leg with rosehead nails (one missing), covering the joints between legs and pedestal. Visible on the underside of the pedestal are the slightly shaven portions of the cylindrical base where the joints occur. On the underside of each leg, at its center line, is a prominent scribe line; notes compiled by T.B. Lloyd.

Bibliography

Northeast Auctions, Manchester, N.H., The M. Austin and Jill R. Fine Collection, sale cat. (August 7, 2010), 64, lot 602, ill.