EXCEPTIONAL & RARE EARLY 19TH CENTURY CLASSICAL THREE DRAWER MAHOGANY WORK TABLE BY ISAAC VOSE - MUSEUM QUALITY
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With our highest regards we proudly present for sale this early 19th century mahogany 3 drawer classical work table / sewing stand by renowned Boston cabinet maker Isaac Vose with carvings attributed to Thomas Wightman. Boston furniture heavily relies on use of grain and this table employs the best available. This table is crafted from Santo Domingan mahogany, one of the most expensive imported timbers available for sale at the time. The proximity to the equator and elements found in the area give the wood a special oil density which results in a lustrous glow not found in today's "mahogany". Being a major early US port city Boston would reap the benefits of an active port where a number of high grade goods would pass through. By the turn of the 19th century Boston had over 50 cabinet making shops.
Isaac Vose first appeared in tax records as early as 1790. In 1806 he partnered with his journeyman Joshua Coates. The duo spent over 10 years together until Mr. Coates met his untimely end by being thrown out of a carriage. The business was continued by Isaac Vose and his son Isaac Vose Jr. Records show Boston's most highly accomplished cabinet maker, John Seymour, spent time with Vose's shop after his shop closed in his old age. An early periodical advert dated March 1824 states "Their cabinet manufactory is under the direction of Mr. Thomas Seymour, and all orders for furniture will receive as good attention heretofore." We find it interesting that Seymour aided the emerging craftsman Vose. We see this as a passing of the flame to a new generation of preeminent cabinet makers.
This sewing stand has three drawers with their original wooden pulls and a cock bead molded face. The drawers are all hand dovetailed with hand chamfered bottoms. This came to us missing the tapered silk bag that should be on the third drawer. We have an upholster who fabricates them at an exceptional quality. We're going to have the work done with a tasteful silk fabric and adjust the price accordingly thereafter. If you purchase this before we are able to have it made you'll get the freedom of picking the color / design or to have it made on your own accord.
The table box is supported by two heavily carved lyre shaped mahogany sides. These show the utmost care in proportions and execution coming together in a masterful harmony. The panels are carved with graduating acanthus leafs with punch carved stars. We note very minimal age expected veneer loss on the base we will have addressed by our expert woodworker. We note any defect we come across no matter how small or inconsequential they may be. Very few signed Vose tables have been discovered. We know of about 5 and they're all in world class institutions. Much of what we know of Vose's work is still being uncovered today through old historical records and further examination. A cabinet maker on this caliber didn't need to sign his work, the craftsmanship and superior design was their calling card. This table stands on 4 expertly carved hairy paw feet. The attention to detail and masterful carving further our strong belief this is a genuine Vose table with Thomas Wightman's superior carvings. We note a very old small age split on the top that was stabilized in the correct fashion. The stand measures 18 1/2" wide x 16 1/2" deep x 29 1/2" tall. When the leaves are locked up with the swinging wooden shuttles the table measures 35 1/2" wide.
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We are a wholly owned family business in our third decade of continuous operation. We have a large inventory of fine antiques ranging from Early American, Federal, Chippendale, Empire, Centennial, Victorian, 20th Century custom mahogany, Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern antique furniture along with decorative arts from across the globe. All the items we offer to the general public are high quality estate pieces. We do not offer goods with significant flaws or defects. We completely avoid items with issues. You can expect the items we sell to have reasonable wear and tear. Due to the large volume of goods we deal in we cannot describe items in minutia. We do our best to give you an accurate condition report in our description of the items. We have expert woodworkers and re-finishers on staff to service any piece of furniture we offer. We represent all merchandise in absolute good faith and to the very best of our ability. Please ask all questions, including, but not limited to, shipping costs prior to purchase. All items are sold as is and from their location. If you would like to find out about any number of our services, including appraisals and restoration, please ask us about our website for more information.
