With our absolute highest compliments Bay Colony Antiques takes the utmost pleasure in offering this exceptional and rare antique serving cabinet. This example is a marvelous scaled down example of a traditional American Federal "D" form sideboard which are generally six feet in length. After half a century of continually selling and collecting rare antique furniture we can say with all confidence that this form is simply too rare to even attempt to quantify just how many may actually exist. Antique sideboards of the early American period are readily available in most settings where antiques are sold albeit with the higher quality examples generally being harder to find. Antique serving cabinets, built in the Federal manner to be half the length of a sideboard, are among the rarest furniture forms to exist anywhere. We cannot overstate just how proud we are to now presently offer this remarkable antique serving cabinet for the consideration of collectors across the country.
This antique serving cabinet either dates to the late 18th century or perhaps just into the first decade of the 19th century. The entire case is constructed with a premium grade of solid mahogany and lighter tone woods used to accent the mahogany with intricate string inlay. The upper most corners feature architectural dental work inlay over stylized octagonal inlays which are repeated on the short, tapered legs. A singular band of satinwood and ebony inlay spans the length of the front over the bowfront single drawer which features a remarkable tombstone inlaid design. The double doors have wonderful octagonal inlaid panels that each have curved corners and both doors open to reveal a large storage cavity that is secured by a retracting antique latch and a period brass lock. The single drawer is fitted with antique oval pulls and has wonderful string inlay detail around the perimeter. The drawer is joined with hand cut dovetailed construction of the finest variety. The case has two additional tombstone inlaid panels flanking either end of the double doors. An examination of the drawer panel, backboards, and underside of the cabinet reveal centuries of oxidation and hand tool marks consistent with 18th century craftsmanship. Our only condition note is a small reduction in height off the tapered legs. The entire cabinet is in exceptional condition and has a lovely color with fine overall proportions. This antique serving cabinet measures 36 1/2" wide x 26 3/4" deep x 30" tall.
