With our absolute highest compliments Bay Colony Antiques takes the utmost pleasure in offering a spectacular antique classical pier table. This table is a remarkable specimen of early 19th century design and has remained one of the finest examples of this form to survive the past two centuries. Traditionally these pier tables were produced for the wealthiest class of patrons along the eastern coast of America from Boston to New Orleans with the largest concentration of examples found in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions. Many notable institutions have preserved examples with distinctive regional influences which have allowed furniture scholars to draw comparisons from and attribute to various cabinetmakers. We have had the privilege of owning spectacular pier console tables from some of the finest American furniture makers and we vigorously pursue any opportunity to add another example to our collection. This pier table is similar to the forms associated with Philadelphia however we are leaving open the possibility that this could also have been made for a New York home as the console resembles the work of Joseph Meeks & Sons. Traditionally many of the mid-atlantic area pier tables have Grecian column supports and carved elements around the supports and feet. We are quite taken with the strong form of this table which emphasizes dramatic curvature supports and the Ogee elephant formed front feet. The "S" formed supports emphasize the bold interpretation of the American Classical design period and below each support are corbel inspired elements that transition into the curved ogee feet. The marble top is supported by a finely ogee molded apron and when the marble is removed a secret storage compartment is revealed complete with a red felt lining. This hidden storage cavity is a brilliant design feature as most pier tables have a solid wooden support structure beneath the marble top. Someone wanting to tuck away valuable silver or private documents would have found this table to be an ingenious solution to hide valuables in plain sight. The central support element is of unusual form with a strongly pronounced shape and boldly figured crotched mahogany book-matched grain. There are two finely styled columns on the vertical sides of the mirrored panel which are subtle and easy to overlook at first glance. The mahogany grain between the raised molded outlines of the columns is variated providing this table a masterful embellishment which attests to its superior design and form. We have distinguished this example as not just a pier table but a petticoat table as well with the distinction being the presence of a mirrored glass panel featured between the "S" curved support columns. The fashionable petticoat dresses of the 19th century would get soiled throughout the hustle and bustle of a busy day so an entryway table with a mirror was necessary for well dressed ladies to inspect their garments to ensure they appeared clean and presentable. Many of these petticoat console tables have been lost to time due to the delicate nature of the mirrored panels and marble tops which are often broken because they are mishandled in transport. The pier table has remained in exceptional condition and has developed a warm patina over the figured mahogany which is prominent in direct sunlight. We only note four tiny professionally filled holes in the center of the marble tablet which in no way detracts from the value of the table. These holes are the remnants of the base of an argand lamp which absolutely had to be secured into the table as they notoriously tipped over and burned homes to the ground. The table measures 41” wide x 19” deep x 35 1/4” tall. The sight size of the glass is 27 3/4” wide x 15 3/4” tall.
