The Colonel Tench Tilghman very fine and rare Chippendale carved and figured mahogany pier table, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania circa 1765

appears to retain its original marble top.  Several knee returns restored.

Colonel Tench Tilghman, The Heritage, Talbot Co., Maryland;
David Stockwell, Wilmington, Delaware

David Stockwell advertisement, The Magazine Antiques, April 1956, p. 277.
Maryland Queen Anne and Chippendale Furniture of the Eighteenth Century, (Baltimore, MD: October House Inc. for The Baltimore Museum of Art, 1968) p. 44, no. 27.

Knee returns on proper right front leg restored; knee return restored on proper left front leg; proper right side bottom facia strip restored; minor wear to carving on knuckles. Secondary woods poplar and yellow pine. Refinished.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Classified in the 1772 Philadelphia Price Book as "frames for Marble Slab" four or five feet in length with "Claw feet ... Leaves on the knees," tables like this one were the most expensive version of the form at the price of £5 pounds before the purchase of their costly marble top. One of the few forms priced only for mahogany, tables of this type were usually finished on three sides, made in pairs and designed with marble tops to accommodate the service of food and drink. The form was rare in the eighteenth century and few examples survive today.

Made of richly figured mahogany with yellow pine and poplar secondary woods, the present marble top table is the work of an accomplished craftsman, who showcased his skill in the sweeping lines of the serpentine skirt, use of highly figured mahogany veneers, and exceptional carving on the knees and claw feet. According to tradition it was owned by Tench Tilghman (1744-1786), the American patriot who served in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He served as aide de camp to General George Washington and attained the rank of lieutenant colonel before his death in 1786.

For a similarly conceived pier table, see one with a replaced top illustrated in William M. Hornor, Blue Book Philadelphia Furniture, Alexandria, VA, 1988, pl. 206 as the John Wagner Sideboard and property of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Evans.