ANTIQUE MAHOGANY DROP LEAF TABLE WITH ACANTHUS CARVED LEGS NEW YORK CITY CA 1810
Bay Colony Antiques is proud to offer for sale this wonderful antique Sheraton Mahogany drop leaf dining table. The table was undoubtedly made in New York and is a fantastic example of the local style that dominated New York City in the early 19th century. We purchased this from a local Hampden County home from a woman in her 80’s who told us this was her grandmother's table. She was actually quite reluctant to let it go but because her and her husband were downsizing, they had no other choice but to part ways with it. If you value originality over all else when sourcing your antiques, you will not want to miss this table. Structurally the table is completely undisturbed, right down to its original glue blocks. The top is absolutely stunning & showcases 3 large solid Mahogany boards with an interesting grain pattern. Oftentimes boards of this size will split being in a foreign environment, but this table has withstood the test of time phenomenally. The Caribbean Mahogany used for the top would be close to impossible to source today as it was harvested to near extinction levels and the few remaining forests are thankfully protected today. The Mahogany has a bold grain pattern with nice dark striations and a light plum pudding figuring present.
The leaves are supported by double shuttle supports built into the table box and we’d like to point out the triangular block between the supports which was commonplace in many New York City cabinet shops like Duncan Phyfe’s & Michael Allison’s shops. The Acanthus leaf carvings on the legs are crisp and highly detailed. We’d also like to point out that the legs oppose each other adding to the symmetry of the table and congruity of the design. Being from New York City this isn’t too surprising because NYC was home to a number of skilled carvers and cabinet makers during the early 1800’s. In more rural areas you’ll sometimes find all of the leg carvings facing the same way because they weren’t specifically made for the table they were carved in major cities and traded their way into rural cabinet makers hands who didn’t have a skilled carver at their disposal. The legs retain their original brass caps, but the caster wheels have been replaced with rubber stoppers. The table is in fantastic condition with our only notes being minor surface wear and some light scratches on the leaf in our first photo. The tabletop measures 53 1/4” wide x 39 3/4” deep with the leaves locked up. When the leaves are down the table measures 24 1/2” wide x 39 3/4” tall x 28” tall.
