With our absolute highest compliments Bay Colony Antiques takes the utmost pleasure in offering this exquisite antique tea table. We could not possibly be prouder to bring this table to market as it is truly among the finest examples which we have ever handled throughout half a century of collecting antiques. Every aspect of this table elevates it above commonly found examples available for sale across the various online and traditional platforms collectors use to seek out fine traditional antiques. It is also our strongly held belief that there has not been a table of this caliber offered in recent history anywhere close in value to what we are marketing it for. Any loosely comparable examples offered by any of the elite auction houses would expect a sales result far in excess of the current list price of this offering as typically a similar example would be valuated around $6,000 - $8,000 conservatively. Irish antiques have been known to shatter presale estimates as they attract a level of wealth clients that can afford to disregard fair market value pricing when they find that perfect piece which they simply will not live without. By offering our own antiques independently we can provide a value that operations with large staffs and high operating costs cannot compete with.
This table is the product of a master cabinetmaker either trained or working in Ireland during the third quarter of the 18th century. It truly takes many years of handling English and American tables to recognize the subtle design nuances and differences of those far rarer Irish examples which appear less frequently across the global antique market. Irish cabinetmakers had a unique interpretation of the prevailing Chippendale design which wealthy high society patrons commissioned throughout the second half of the 18th century. Ascribed in red paint upon the righthand support cleat are the numbers 29.619.47 which could be an inventory control number from a museum collection or a public auction held generations ago. In our experience the last two numbers, in this case "47" often relate to the year in which the piece would have been deaccessed or sold outright. Either way the appearance of these numerals is a wonderful attribute as in our experience they are generally found on the finest antiques from any point in history.
The table has a top which is comprised from a single board of exotic mahogany that was worked with a hand plane so that the decorative edge of the top would be raised in relation to the center. This is the indication of a master woodworker as the process is exacting and requires decades of experience to be executed properly. Tables made in this fashion are known as "dishtop" tables with the profiled boarded referred to as a "pie-crust edge" that in this case is molded and scalloped which relates to the design that repeats itself over the length of the border. The top is secured with twin cleats to the pedestal and folds down to be used for a tea service with the assistance of a brass "turtle" lock that prevents the top from moving around once engaged. Additionally, there is a birdcage element complete with four turned pilasters and secured to the pedestal with a tapered wedge that can be removed easily should you wish to separate the top from the base for any reason. The pedestal is fashioned in the manner of an architectural baluster and is complete with a spiral fluted design turned into the lower portion. The table is supported by three snake form legs that each feature exemplary cabochon carved knees and masterfully executed ball and claw feet. There are several small repairs to the table however they are nebulous in nature and really do not impact the value in any manner. When the table is flipped up like in our gallery image the table measures 27 1/2" wide x 20" deep x 42" tall. When the top is locked down the table measures 27 1/2" wide x 27" deep x 27 1/2" tall.
