ANTIQUE 19TH CENTURY CLASSICAL MAHOGANY 2 DRAWER WORK TABLE ON FINELY CARVED LION CLAW PEDESTAL BASE
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With our highest compliments we're excited to offer for sale this exceptional early 19th century Massachusetts mahogany 2 drawer classical work table. Early American furniture is our true passion. Our family is from Boston with our favorite furniture coming from Boston, the North Shore, and Philadelphia. We spend countless hours across the US intimately studying the finest furniture in public and private collections. We strongly feel this is a Massachusetts table with a special emphasis to Salem, MA / North Shore. By the early 19th century there were over 100 cabinet makers active in Salem. Being a major port city with a close proximity to Boston great wealth was made in the area. This table is made from the absolute best grade and most select cuts of flame mahogany. Early 19th century mahogany has special properties & oil density giving it a lustrous sheen modern "mahogany" can't imitate. The Mahogany trade flourished in major cities with rosewood being the only other imported wood demanding a higher price. Caribbean mahogany was farmed to near extinction levels and is thankfully protected today.
This stand has cross banded mahogany moldings surrounding the entire top for a nice visual effect. The stand has two drawers with fine hand cut dovetail construction with the upper drawer retaining the original lock. Each drawer is fitted with the original brass escutcheon and the best basket of fruit brass pulls. We originally thought these had to be reproduction hardware. We took one off it was fitted with period brass nuts on hand cut brass posts. The finish behind the brass was unoxidized and darker showing if not original these have been on there for a long long time. The drawer faces were never re drilled and there is no evidence of these being replaced. We've had to buy reproduction hardware and can assure you nothing like this of this quality is available in any market. We considered offering the brasses only but that thought was gone in an instant we wouldn't want to disturb the purity and integrity of the stand. This stand is finished on all four sides and is in wonderful condition. We note a few small seasoning splits on the side. We make no excuses for this, it's stable and at no risk of splitting further just a side effect of having an exotic wood in a different climate for 200+ years. The stand has four turned drop finials and stands atop a generous carved base. The base has 4 carved lion paws very finely executed in great condition with no breaks or repair to the toes. We noted a small repair on the back bottom of the pedestal. It was done very well and is hardly an issue but we point it out as part of our full disclosure policy. The repair was further strengthened with a later added very costly steel spider at the last owners mother expense. At some point in the tables life the top was re worked. We imagine the original split beyond fixing but the new one is so well done we couldn't tell until we looked at the underside. The stand has four brass caster wheels that roll with ease. The stand is 22 1/2" wide x 16 1/2" deep x 30" tall.
