An Outstanding Inlayed Swell-Front Chest
Attributed to Spooner and Fitts
Athol, Massachusetts
Original surface and brasses...
Circa 1810-1820
A fine Sheraton inlayed mahogany and mahogany veneered case of four long cockbead drawers...the rectangular top with outset rounded corners having banded inlay and stringing on the edges above a conforming case fitted with four long graduated drawers, each with inlaid oval medallion within border of stringing, the Apron with similar inlaid medallion within border of stinging. The turned and reeded posts continuing to gracefully executed tall slender turned and fluted legs on ball feet. There is a shrinkage crack in the top and on both sides otherwise excellent throughout. Some of the construction techniques associated with the Athol shop tradition include the securing of top which, is braced by a single medial pine board joined to front and rear pine boards that are triple screwed to underside of top. The apron is secured by vertical glue blocks; drawer runners are about full depth and slide on two-section nailed guides (supports).
(Height: 42.5 inches; Width: 43 inches; Depth: 23 inches.)
Price: $10,985
121-145
A Good Clean Dry Sink In Red Paint
Probably York County, Pennsylvania
Circa 1835-1845
Having a good painted surface, terrific patina-this example with a rectangular zinc lined well above the case made of cherry has two mortise and tenon constructed paneled doors, a single drawer and cutout feet. The interior has a single long shelf made of cherry. (Width: 40-inches; height: 32.75-inches; depth: 18.75-inches.)
Price: $6,250
191-208
Robins Egg Blue
Blanket Chest
New England
Early 19th Century
The rectangular top with applied mitered compound molding having original hinges above the conforming box with lidded till raised on stylish bootjack profile feet. Superb color and surface quality. Original condition. White pine. (Height: 26 inches; width: 40.25 inches; depth: 19.75 inches.)
Price: $5,475
191-231
A Fine Ladies Inlaid Secretary-Tambour Doors
Mahogany and mahogany veneer...eastern white pine and birch
Attributed to the Seymour Shop
Portland, Maine or Boston
Circa 1780-1805
The design and construction features of this Federal secretary are specifically within the shop traditions of John and Thomas Seymour. The hinged uppercase door centering the tambour doors with plain reeds are found on a few extant Seymour secretaries. Both upper and lower cases have inlays at both sides simulating fluted pilasters. The mock-flutes consist of a series of alternating plain white stringing separated by narrow bands of cross-grain mahogany. On the lower case, the pilasters terminate top and bottom with triangles with similar alternating bands of stringing and banding set horizontally. Another Seymour design is the "well" formed behind the folding writing surface, which the uppercase fits into. The hinged writing flap has a molding applied to the rear edge; backboards are joined to the rear legs with mortise and tenon joints having no pins. The pine top on which the top case rests is joined to the main pine board with tongue-and-groove joints that exposed and visible at the rear.
Furthering the shop tradition is the interior; compartments have precisely shaped and balanced valances of a recognizable design beneath a pair of short string inlaid drawers centered by the banded prospect door with conch-inlay centering the sting inlay. The central door opens to reveal two drawers above double letter compartments conforming to the outside compartment profiles. The lower case with two long drawers veneered with superior grained figured mahogany and applied bead-molded edges and string inlay is raised on double tapered legs having graduated bellflower inlays. (Height: 43.5 inches; Width: 36 inches; Depth: 19.25 inches.)
Price: $21,500
270-9
Curly Maple Work Table
Queen Anne
Entire table including top is figured...
Probably 3rd Quarter 18th Century
New England
The rectangular top with breadboard ends pinned to plain apron with long drawer retaining original wooden turned pull...raised on turned tapered legs terminating with button feet. (Top measures: 26.75 by 38.5-inches; height: 28.5-inches.)
Price: $7,845
121-136
Windsor Armchair
Anonymous
19th Century
The top rail centering six flattened splats, each embellished on top and bottom with a small, turned ball...beneath which is a bottom rail with scallop carving and six similarly designed flattened spindles. The posts with thumb-shaped finials and compressed ring turnings, receive the arms that conform stylistically to the back. The shaped seat raised on turned legs, joined by box stretcher. This chair wants to be Southern, however, it may be that is hails from the Midwest; regardless, a whimsical inspiration that is perhaps singular.
Dimensions: 35.25-inches high, 17.5-inch seat height, 19.5-inches wide, 17.5-inches deep.
Price: $1,975
402-6
Painted Bench
New England
19th Century
The single board top with ends notched for comfort above the shaped fascia
molding. The bench is raised is double-mortised "through the seat" stiles ending in a roundel foot. Great old surface. ( Height: 20 inches; length: 93.5 inches; depth: 12 inches.)
Price: $650
175-44
Sea Chest
Original blue paint
Hardwood Beckets
The molded rectangular top hung from original strap hinges over a canted conforming case with small interior till. (Height: 17 inches; width: 44 inches; depth: 18.75 inches.)
Price: $1,485
334-47
Red Painted Table with Drawer
Dimensions: 27.5-inches high, 19.25 by 39-inch top.
Price: $2,750
348-194
Rocking Armchair
In Blue Paint
Dimensions: 45.25-inches high, 16-inch seat height, 24.25-inches wide, 17-inches deep.
Price: $1,075
453-2
Maple Chest on Chest
Probably Rhode Island
Circa 1800
Dimensions: 76.75-inches high, 41-inches wide, 19.75-inches deep.
Price: $10,500
556-22
A Stand-up Fall-Front Desk
Exuberantly Painted and paint decorated...
First Half-19th Century
White Pine
New York State
A stand-up fall-front desk identical in design signed George Pierce, Manlius, New York is known. (Ex Schnall Collection.)
The rectangular lid opens to rest on loppers with molded fronts; interior with three paint decorated short drawers centered by large cubby beneath conforming drawer...all above a case having four graduated thumb-molded overhanging-drawers raised on a bracket base having a single-arcade side-profile with returns and a lovely front profile centered by a bold lobe and cyma curve. The desk is in good old paint; yellow and red drawers are vinegar grained with the case being grained in red. The hinge rail has been repaired; iron lid hinges are possibly replaces as are the drawer pulls, all else fine. (Height: 51.5 inches; writing height: 39 inches; width: 38.625 inches; depth: 22.25 inches.
Price: $14,500
340-1
New Hampshire
Octagonal Top Work Table
Circa 1810-1815
The cut corner top with ovolo corners above conforming case having cross-banded birds eye maple panels above the applied triple-bead molding; raised on smartly turned slender legs terminating with tiny ball feet. The single drawer veneered in birds eye maple with dark banded edges above the original bag frame with 20th century upholstery. The table remains in excellent original condition and is in old surface; minor "as expected" imperfections such as missing piece of vertical inlay on drawer facing and replaced drawer pulls.
(Height: 28.25 inches; width: 19.5 inches; depth: 14.5 inches.)
Price: $12,500
231-16
A Good Tavern Table
New England
Old, Possibly Original...Red Paint
Pine top and apron, maple legs
Circa 1750-1760
This is one of those scarce examples that survived without alteration
The overhanging rectangular pinned well scrubbed top with bread-board end has a deep dry patina...the top is over plain conforming apron with single long drawer retaining original turned wooden pull; raised on baluster turned legs joined by a box stretcher and terminating with full height button feet. The paint appears to be original. As depicted, the drawer face has lost a small chunk at the lower right (proper) corner. Only one breadboard remains; due to shrinkage and the length of pins-the pin-channels were compromised early in the tables useful life as is evidenced by smooth consistent wear and uniform color on the tops end and within the exposed channel. The table has successful small proportions and strong presence. (Height: 24.75 inches; Top: 24.5 by 36 inches.)
Price: $13,975
344-4
Pencil-Post Tester Bed
New England
Red Paint
Circa 1790
A lovely 4-poster rope bed with tapering octagonal posts joined by a shaped headboard and remaining in original red. (Length: 79.5 inches; Width: 54.75 inches; Height: 80.75 inches; Headboard Height: 33.5 inches; Rail Height: 21.875 inches.)
Price: $7,765
492-1
Federal Mahogany Card-Table
Demilune, Fan Inlay
New York
Circa 1800
The demilune mahogany veneer top with molded edge above a three-paneled skirt having contrasting dark cross-banded mahogany veneer enclosed with stringing outlining the top and bottom. The table is raised on five legs; the two front legs are each topped by a twelve-point patera, each within a sting inlaid oval. The fifth leg, a fly-leg on flying rail. The table remains in excellent condition with extremely minor repairs. Height: 28.75 inches; Top (closed): 37.75 by 18.5 inches; Top (open): 37.75 by 37 inches.)
Price: $2,950
335-59
Upholstered Wing Chair
The chair measures 45-inches in overall height, while the seat measures 17-inches in height, 28.5-inches in width and 31-inches in depth.
Price: $5,800
621-79
Important Boston Federal Sideboard
Firmly Attributed to Thomas Seymour...superb quality typical of his finest work...
Circa 1805-1808
The selection of highly figured veneers throughout cut from the same flitches of veneer and their meticulous placement on various case elements is typical of Seymour’s practice. The ivory urn inlays with handles and fancy finial tips are probably the most elaborate pattern known.
Flat front, top with “turret corners” over legs; four doors below one wide central drawer and two flanking drawers; lower front center rail curved at ends to form knee “brackets”; turned and reeded legs, tapering over turned swelled feet, reeded above with large reeds; superb acanthus leaf carving on knees and “blossom” carvings of two patterns on upper legs attributed to Thomas Wightman; inlaid ivory key escutcheons in form of handled vase with fancy finial; wonderful curly and crotch mahogany veneers on door and drawer fronts and case sides; central veneer panels on doors framed with triple-bead moldings grooved in and flush with the surface; doors and drawers further set off with Casuarina cross banding and black/white strings, with an ebonized string at outer corners; edges of top inlaid with pattern of dark/light shallow triangle, unusual for him; double-bead design moldings cut from solid on edges of top, applied to drawer rail faces, returning to similar rings turned on the legs; triple-bead design moldings applied to lower case edges, returning to similar rings turned on legs; one-board mahogany top; case sides with two faux-panels set off by a triple-bead molding continuing around from case front; side panels set off by ebonized stringing borders; no shelves or drawer dividers. The sideboard retains some very old finish on carvings and legs, but overall was refinished perhaps a century ago. The finish has a nice texture and appearance with light crazing, but is very dirty on the top.
This important sideboard is firmly attributable to the shop of Thomas Seymour and his Boston Furniture Warehouse, and ranks as one of the finest of all sideboards made by him or his father. Carving is attributed to Thomas Wightman. This example is published in The Furniture Masterworks Of John and Thomas Seymour by Robert D. Mussey Jr. (Page 222; catalog entry 44.)
Acanthus leaf and blossom carving on the legs is typical of the superb workmanship and designs o Thomas Wightman. Wightman was also an English immigrant, who according to his naturalization petition, had ten years experience as a carver in London. He began a long-term collaboration with the Seymour’s soon after his 1798 arrival in Boston, continuing to at least 1816 when the younger Seymour was forced out of business. (Note his blossom designs on central and outer legs differ, the only occurrence in my experience of this variation. Excerpt from report by Robert Mussey Jr.)
The ivory urn inlays with handles and fancy finial tips are probably the most elaborate pattern known, related to a small group of inlays (NY Metropolitan Museum sideboard) but with added flourishes on the handles. The ivory worker is unknown, but was probably one of the umbrella makers cum ivory turners such as William Callender then working in Boston.
Related Examples:
No other sideboard precisely like this one is known.
Literature:
Published in The Furniture Masterworks Of John and Thomas Seymour by Robert D. Mussey Jr. (Page 222; catalog entry 44.)
Prior repairs:
The sideboard appears to have been restored by an expert restorer a long-time ago, perhaps in the late 19th or early 20th century. The quality of the prior work was very high. It was largely refinished.
Dimensions:
41.5-inches H x 73.25-inches W x 26.5-inches D
Materials:
Mahogany, with crotch and curly mahogany veneer, primary; Eastern white pine, secondary, with ash drawer parts and drawer rails; extensive use of Casuarina (“she oak”, “Botany Bay oak”, an Australian wood); brass hardware is replaced; iron/steel locks, replaced on doors; original blue paint in all interiors of lower case (with yellowed over-varnish); poplar interior case bottoms (added later on top of original pine bottoms)
We welcome specific inquiries on this piece. Pleae write David Hillier at drh@aaawt.com or call (978)-597-8084 for additional information.
Price: On Request
451-4
Red Painted Chest
Size, color, understated elegance and surface
New England
18th Century
This small deep well chest with molded lift top retains its original snipe hinges; the box above single long-drawer is defined by a robust molding above the tall Queen Anne base profile that calls attention to the center drop with conforming reversed curve terminating in a single lobe. Original dry red paint!!! (Height 44-inches; width: 37.75-inches; depth: 16.75-inches.)
Price: $11,750
179-1
Blue-Gray Painted Blanket Box
18th Century
Measures 24.75-inches in height, 44-inches in width and 17.75-inches in depth.
Price: $1,450
255-52
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