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

Tea table

Object number

RIF141

Maker

Maker Unknown

Dimensions

25 1/2 × 32 1/4 × 20 1/2 in. (64.77 × 81.915 × 52.07 cm)

Date

1740–80

Current location

Unknown

Geography

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

Medium

Mahoghany (primary); pine (glue blocks)

Marks

None

Inscriptions

None

Style

Queen Anne

Provenance

Claire McKiernan Vanderbilt (died 2005) and Hugh Bedford Vanderbilt, Sr., (1921–2000), Greenwich, Connecticut, before 2006; consigned to Sotheby's, New York, January 20–22, 2006, lot 408

Associated names

Hugh Bedford Vanderbilt, Sr.
Claire Frances McKiernan
Sotheby's

Construction

The oblong, rectangular, two-board top is attached to its frame by means concealed under a beaded cove perimeter molding, itself joined to the top by fasteners in wood-filled holes. The edge of the top is visible below this molding. The beaded rails are tenoned, without wood pins, to the rectangular blocks atop the legs. To the face of the rails are attached quarter round moldings, at the end of which are glued ogee-shaped knee brackets. The underside of the top is chamfered at each corner to allow space for two vertical chamfered glue blocks. The legs are square-sectioned, with angular knees and ankles, ending in ridged, lightly shod slipper feet. Examined by P. E. Kane, January 21, 2006; notes compiled by T. B. Lloyd.

Bibliography

Sotheby's, New York, Important Americana: Including Property from the Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Elisha Hanson to Benefit the National Gallery of Art, sale cat. (January 20–22, 2006), 272, lot 408, ill.