A Very Rare Pair of Chippendale Carved and Figured Mahogany Serpentine-Top Games Tables, Newport, Rhode Island, Circa 1785

Each hinged top opening to a later baize-lined playing surface suported on a swing leg, each proper left side to the frieze fitted with a small drawer for gaming pieces.

Table 346: the frieze slightly loose; the top of the front proper right leg with a vertical age crack, the leg slightly loose; front proper right bracket with old loss and with old polished surface; the underside of the top lacking most glue blocks; corner of each front leg with an old long chip to the fluting and with an old polished surface; small loss to molding to proper right side above the front leg. Table 345: with break to front proper left pierced bracket with small loss to the backside; side brackets lacking; front legs with small replaced chips to the corners of the fluting; proper front right leg with an old repaired crack to lower section; drawer pull to drawer replaced; small loss approximately 1 3/4 in. in length to the molding to frieze above back proper left leg. Overall with old marks, scratches, scuffs and bruises to extremities. One table with drawer rebuilt, the other with proper left rear foot replaced.
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.

Pairs of Rhode Island games tables are quite scarce and this is the only known pair of serpentine top games tables with stop fluted legs with blocked feet and leaves with chip pockets and candle corners.  In reviewing Patricia Kane’s Rhode Island furniture archive at rifa.art.yale.edu, there are six related examples (RIF306, RIF332, RIF354, RIF2770, RIF3906, RIF4805).  The closest being RIF332 which was illustrated by Ralph E. Carpenter in “Mowbra Hall and a Collection of Period Rooms, Part I,” The Connoisseur (June 1972): 5, fig. 3.  Mowbra Hall was Ralph Carpenter’s wonderful Georgian-style home located in Scarsdale, New York.