Bay Colony Antiques is proud to offer for sale this outstanding late 18th to early 19th century mahogany drop-leaf dining table. Constructed with remarkable craftsmanship and intended for lasting use, the table is notably heavy—owing to its robust proportions, solid central pedestal, and the exceptional Santo Domingan mahogany used in the top.
Santo Domingan mahogany was among the most prized tropical hardwoods imported during the 18th and 19th centuries. Valued for its deep reddish-brown hue, dramatic grain patterns, and lustrous sheen, this wood owes much of its beauty to the mineral-rich soils in which it grew. Highly workable yet extremely durable, Santo Domingan mahogany is naturally resistant to insects, rot, and warping. These qualities made it ideal not only for fine furniture but also for shipbuilding, where resilience to moisture, shipworms, and harsh maritime conditions was essential. Mahogany trees mature slowly—often taking up to 150 years to reach full size. As demand surged during the height of the transatlantic trade, overharvesting brought the species to the brink of extinction. Today, the few remaining old-growth forests are under protection. During its peak, the mahogany trade was a global enterprise as profitable as sugar and rum, and mahogany furniture became an enduring symbol of wealth and refined taste in elite households.
This drop-leaf table is a fine example of American neoclassical furniture, which flourished in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Its style and construction suggest it was likely made in or around Boston. The tabletop and both hinged leaves were each fashioned from a single board of old-growth mahogany. A single drawer, discreetly integrated into the table box, features pine secondary wood and fine hand-cut dovetails, with original scribe marks still faintly visible. The boldly turned central pedestal supports four saber legs with molded edges that terminate in ornate brass hairy paw feet with casters.
The table measures 22 1/2” wide x 42 1/4” deep x 29 3/4” tall. When both leaves are extended and locked in place, the top expands to an impressive 50” wide.
