VERY FINE AND RARE QUEEN ANNE CARVED MAHOGANY TRAY-TOP TEA TABLE, WETHERSFIELD, CONNECTICUT, CIRCA 1760 |

appears to retain the original knee returns, tray moldings are replaced.

G.K.S. Bush, Inc., Washington, D.C.

G.K.S. Bush Advertisement, Magazine Antiques, vol. 128, no. 2, August 1985, p. 177;
Albert Sack, "Regionalism in early American tea tables," vol. 131, no. 1, Magazine Antiques, January 1987,p. 258, fig. 10;
Albert Sack, "Regionalism in early American tea tables," American Antiques from Israel Sack Collections: Vol. 10, (New York: 1992), p. 69, fig. 10. 

Wear, discoloration and few minor losses commensurate with age and use. There is an old split across the top due to shrinkage of the two boards that make it. There are few other age cracks visible throughout. One of the knee returns shows signs of having been reglued. Tray moldings are replaced, with one having an old crack that has been reglued.
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.

With its elegant design, fine craftsmanship and graceful proportions, this tea table reflects the perfection attained by cabinetmakers working in the Wethersfield style. The use of imported mahogany as a primary wood speaks to the prosperity of patrons in Wethersfield. A virtually identical tea table made of cherrywood is in the collection of Bayou Bend.¹ It was owned by Colonel Thomas Belden (1732-1782) of Wethersfield, who married Abigail Porter (1737-1798), daughter of Ezekial Porter (1702-1775), on August 1, 1753. Both tables similarly display a top with a heavy molded edge, a front cyma-shaped apron, side aprons with a high center arch, knee returns that are applied to the front of the apron, and slender cabriole legs ending in bowl-shaped pad feet on a truncated cone supporting pad.

A mahogany flat-top high chest of drawers and matching dressing table at the Brooklyn Museum with the same apron and leg profile were also owned by Colonel Thomas and Abigail Belden.² All three pieces may have been part of Abigail’s dowry and correspond to a chest with drawers, dressing table, and square cherry table listed in Colonel Belden’s 1782 estate inventory.

¹ See Thomas P. Kugelman and Alice K. Kugelman, Connecticut Valley Furniture (Hartford: Connecticut Historical Society Museum, 2005) p. 57, cat. 19a.
² See ibid, cats. 18 and 19, pp. 54-57.