With our absolute highest compliments Bay Colony Antiques takes the utmost pleasure in offering this remarkable antique work table. We have always strived to find and market the choicest examples of smaller early American period tables to our clients as they continually remain among our most popular offerings. Collectors from all over desire unique tables to serve as nightstands or bedside tables as traditionally that's what they were originally intended for. In the late 18th and early 19th century most homes in New England had several of these work tables for the lady of the home to sit at and sew the various clothing and other fabric materials required in the household. Traditionally, they are found in common areas such as the living room or in hallways as well as in multiple bedrooms throughout the home. The smaller size and practicality of these tables ensured they remained in their respective homes throughout the centuries as various forms of antique furniture went in and fell out of fashion. Today we find that most collectors do not wish to part with their own work tables as they are superior to anything else made by todays standards.
Our present offering is most likely the product of a master furniture builder working in Vermont at the beginning of the 19th century. The table is constructed from premium grades of mahogany and cherry that have a warmth and depth of character not found in most woods. There are two drawers which are both constructed with handcut dovetails and the unfinished drawer interiors have oxidized over two centuries as befitting a true period antique. Both drawers are fitted with rare embossed pulls that have a unique design quite unlike most commonly found knobs of the era. A closer look at the reference book "Rich and Tasty: Vermont Furniture to 1850" may offer insight into finding similar hardware known to exist on Federal era Vermont works. Most notably, this table has four lavishly carved acanthus pattern legs fashioned masterfully. Around the first quarter of the 19th century many cabinetmakers honed their craft in New York City where this carving pattern is mostly associated with and then moved up to Vermont in search of a less competitive environment to establish their enterprises. The table measures 20" wide x 19 1/2" deep x 28 3/4" tall.
