Bay Colony Antiques takes the utmost pleasure in offering one of the absolute finest early American drop leaf dining tables to be found anywhere in the American antiques market. We have treasured many dropleaf tables throughout generations of continued operation and now have the privilege of offering one of the most significant that we have ever encountered in any of the collections we have studied or contributed to. While many dropleaf tables have been produced in America and England since the Queen Anne period first began in the mid 18th century there are very few surviving examples that embody the craftsmanship or stature of the table we now offer at present. The earliest known examples of the American Queen Anne dropleaf form table originated near the northeastern coastal cities around Boston, Massachusetts in the late 1750's until they were commonplace through the middle of the Queen Anne era in the late 1760's. The design traveled down the colonial states and westward into rural communities through the end of the Queen Anne period as they transition into the popular Chippendale and federal forms of the revolutionary war period until the turn of the 19th century. The specimen we have brought forth is unquestionably of Boston origination and most certainly a product of the early Queen Anne period sometime throughout the 1750's or 1760's. As is our practice with the majority of the early furniture that we offer for sale we have expanded the potential of the tables origins to as late as the 1780's only in an effort to guarantee consensus amongst all honest and true scholars of important American furniture. Our experience in the field of historical New England furniture gives us a perspective very few others have acquired and we have learned to always err to caution especially when reasonable and fair minded questions may be raised. The table is constructed of the absolute finest grade of exotic Santo Domingan mahogany available anywhere in the world during this era which was nearly exclusive to Boston and the surrounding wealthy port cities. The richness and density of the wood is unique to all other variations of mahogany grown worldwide and can only fully be appreciated with the table in front of you particularly with respect to how heavy and substantial the table is to handle. The top and leaves are masterfully book matched from the same matching mahogany lumber and are hinged by the original iron forged hardware mortised into the underside of the table. The table apron is gracefully scrolled and the expertly formed cabriole legs terminate on an exceedingly rare padded foot sometimes referred to as a "shoe" or "shoed" foot by early furniture experts. Two legs are hinged in opposition to each other which swing out to support the weight of the massive hinged dropleaves. The table still functions as properly as it was first made which is another testament to the superiority of craftsmanship and materials embodied by this early furniture masterpiece. The mahogany has developed a beautiful patina and color throughout time which greatly enhances the overall appeal of this magnificent table. The table measures 19" wide x 45 1/2" deep x 28" tall. When the leaves are locked up the width changes from 19" to 58 1/2" wide.
