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Photo: Courtesy Sotheby's, New York
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Table

Object number

RIF5640

Maker

Maker Unknown

Dimensions

24 3/4 × 39 × 23 in. (62.87 × 99.06 × 58.42 cm)

Date

1750–90

Current location

Geography

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

Medium

Mahogany

Marks

None

Inscriptions

“F. Hagan / Oct 30 [scrolled underline] / 1922 / for Mr. H. H. Benkard, 5 East 9 St.,” in graphite, on underside of top; “THIS TABLE BELONGED TO / MRS. WILLIAM MINTURN /(PENELOPE GREENE) / OF NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND / 1746–1821," engraved on a plaque, attached to underside of top; "46.181.7," in red paint, on underside of top

Provenance

Mrs. William Minturn (née Penelope Greene, 1746–1821), Newport, Rhode Island. H. H. Benkard, New York, 1922. Sotheby's, New York, January 25–26, 2013, lot 352

Associated names

Mrs. Penelope Minturn (née Greene)
Harry H. Benkard
Sotheby's

Construction

The oblong top, with rounded edges and outset rounded corners, was formerly secured to its base by six screw pockets, two each inside the long rails, one each inside the short rails. It is now secured by the same number and arrangement of L-shaped brackets, attached with screws to the top and rails. In each corner of the frame are glue blocks, all but one corner containing two vertical chamfered blocks; one contains a chamfered and a carved block. The flat-arched rails meet the blocks atop the legs in mortise and tenon joints, each showing two wood pins. The turned tapering legs end in outset pad feet with incised ankles. On the underside of the top, at each corner, outside the frame, are rectangular shadows. Examined by P.E. Kane and J.N. Johnson, January 30, 2013; notes compiled by T.B. Lloyd.

Bibliography

Sotheby's, New York, Important Americana, Furniture, Folk Art, Silver, Porcelain, Prints and Carpets including Property sold by the Philadelphia Museum of Art, sale cat. (January 25–26, 2013), 184–85, lot 352.