Photo: Courtesy Sotheby's, New York
Tilt-top table
RIF283
Maker, formerly attributed to John Goddard, American, 1723?1785
Height: 28 in. (71.12 cm) Diameter: 30 1/4 in. (76.835 cm)
Made in Newport, Rhode Island
Mahogany (primary); birch (block and battens)
Queen Anne, Chippendale
Private collection, American Midwest; consigned to Sotheby's, New York, January 20–22, 2006, lot 539. Christie's, New York, January 21–22, and 25, 2010, lot 360
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 ogee-shaped profiles at the tapered ends and at the points where the cleats align with the block atop the pedestal, each cleat fixed to it with five screws?one flat-head, countersunk screw at each end, and each midpoint, and two dome-top screws. The underside bears marks where it was attached to a face plate during turning. A circular, brass catch latch under the top is screwed into a small piece of mahogany (attached with two rosehead nails) with three screws, and locks into its pedestal in a brass plate. Dowels integral with the pedestal top and fitted into the cleats allow the top to tilt. The rectangular wedged top of the slightly tapered pedestal is visible through the beaded-edge block above. The sides of the pedestal?s cylindrical base are shaved at each leg?s joint, which are concealed by a three-armed iron plate, attached with four flat-head screws. The cabriole legs, only one of which bears a scribe line on its underside, end in stylized claw and ball feet. Examined by P.E. Kane, January 21, 2006; notes compiled by T.B. Lloyd.
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), 390–391, lot 539, ill.
Christie's, New York, Important American Furniture, Folk Art, Silver, and Chinese Export, sale cat. (January 21–22 and 25, 2010), lot 360, ill.