- 1117
Exceptional Federal Inlaid and Figured Mahogany and Satinwood Pembroke Table, Attributed to Thomas Burling (1746-1831), New York, Circa 1790
Estimate
25,000 - 50,000 USD
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Description
- mahogany and satinwood
- Height 27 3/4 in. by Width 17 1/8 in. by Depth 29 3/4 in.
having brass-capped feet; retains a rich dark historic surface.
Provenance
S. Vint Van Derzee (twentieth century owner of Bethlehem House or Rensselaer Nicoll House, Bethlehem, New York);
T. Gardner Day;
Israel Sack, Inc., New York.
T. Gardner Day;
Israel Sack, Inc., New York.
Condition
Overall fine condition. Wear commensurate with age and use. Dark, rich surface. Minor dents and dings to the legs consistent with use. The hardware on the reverse side of the case are lacking their rings. Three sections of the inlaid cuff above the brass capped foot on the proper front right foot are detached, but retained. There is a 1-inch patch to the C-scroll at the top and exterior of the proper front right leg.
Secondary wood: oak, poplar, maple
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.
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.
Catalogue Note
Pembroke tables were made in quantity in America during the Federal period, for use as gaming and occasional tables and well as breakfast tables. They were inspired by designs illustrated in London pattern books, to suit the taste of the wealthy clients requiring furniture in the latest English fashions. This example is based upon a “Pembroke Table” design illustrated in plate 62 of The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer’s Guide (London, 1794) by George Hepplewhite, who describes such a table as “the most useful of this species of furniture.” This Pembroke table is typical of the sophisticated inlaid furniture made in New York where tables of this type are often lavishly ornamented. The rectangular panels on the skirt are edged with light stringing and crossbanding. Oval paterae are inlaid on the front and sides edges of the skirt. The single-taper legs are outlined with light stringing and enhanced with crossbanded cuffs. To enhance their vertical thrust, the legs are inlaid on two sides with six bellflowers of increasing size suspended from a loop of stringing and separated by inlaid dots.
A Pembroke table owned by George Washington is very closely related.1 In form and decoration, the two Pembroke tables are virtually identical dimensionally, and differ only in the treatment of the feet and in the brass drawers pulls. The Washington table is fitted with caps and castors while this table was fitted with brass caps and has never had castors. Washington purchased his table in the fall of 1789 for his wife, Martha, from Thomas Burling (1746-1831), the Quaker cabinetmaker who retailed New York and Philadelphia-made furniture in his shop on Beekman Street in New York. Along with this “Inlaid Breakfast Table,” Washington also purchased a large writing desk “and a best Inlaid Tea Table” from Burling for his residence on Cherry Street in New York, after he was elected to the presidency in 1789. At the conclusion of the presidency, Washington listed the table among his “private Cabinet work” that he purchased himself and it was moved to Mount Vernon. Other furniture purchased from Burling for Washington’s executive residence includes a set of sixty-eight mahogany side chairs, one of which is in the collection of Mount Vernon.2 On April 17, 1790, Washington paid Burling 7 pounds for a leather-upholstered armchair referred to as an “uncommon chair,” also at Mount Vernon, which he used throughout his presidency and for the remainder of his life.3
1 See Carol Borchert Cadou, The George Washington Collection: Fine and Decorative Arts at Mount Vernon (New York: Hudson Hill Press, 2006), p. 198-9, no. 63.
2 Mount Vernon acc. number W-4116.
3 Mount Vernon acc. number W-159.
A Pembroke table owned by George Washington is very closely related.1 In form and decoration, the two Pembroke tables are virtually identical dimensionally, and differ only in the treatment of the feet and in the brass drawers pulls. The Washington table is fitted with caps and castors while this table was fitted with brass caps and has never had castors. Washington purchased his table in the fall of 1789 for his wife, Martha, from Thomas Burling (1746-1831), the Quaker cabinetmaker who retailed New York and Philadelphia-made furniture in his shop on Beekman Street in New York. Along with this “Inlaid Breakfast Table,” Washington also purchased a large writing desk “and a best Inlaid Tea Table” from Burling for his residence on Cherry Street in New York, after he was elected to the presidency in 1789. At the conclusion of the presidency, Washington listed the table among his “private Cabinet work” that he purchased himself and it was moved to Mount Vernon. Other furniture purchased from Burling for Washington’s executive residence includes a set of sixty-eight mahogany side chairs, one of which is in the collection of Mount Vernon.2 On April 17, 1790, Washington paid Burling 7 pounds for a leather-upholstered armchair referred to as an “uncommon chair,” also at Mount Vernon, which he used throughout his presidency and for the remainder of his life.3
1 See Carol Borchert Cadou, The George Washington Collection: Fine and Decorative Arts at Mount Vernon (New York: Hudson Hill Press, 2006), p. 198-9, no. 63.
2 Mount Vernon acc. number W-4116.
3 Mount Vernon acc. number W-159.