A Very Rare Pair of Chippendale Carved Walnut Claw-and-Ball Foot Drop-Leaf Dining Tables, 18th Century
Sale 1278 - The Donald F. Moylan, M.D. Collection of American Furniture, Folk & Decorative Arts, Part I
Nov 3, 2023
10:00AM ET
Live / Cincinnati
Estimate
$8,000 -
$12,000
Sold for $10,080
Sold prices are inclusive of Buyer’s Premium
Lot Description
A Very Rare Pair of Chippendale Carved Walnut Claw-and-Ball Foot Drop-Leaf Dining Tables, 18th Century
Frederick, Maryland, Circa 1770
the tables join along the flat edged leaves, leaving the outside edges rounded.
Height 27 1/2 x width 48 x depth 17 1/2 inches (closed).
Height 27 1/2 x width 48 x depth 17 1/2 inches (closed).
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
Provenance:
Thomas Johnson (American/Maryland, 1732-1819), the first Federal Governor of Maryland;
by descent through his family;
acquired from the family.
Condition Report
Secondary wood: Oak and yellow pine
In overall fine, stable and usable condition. Retains an early surface and finish, with areas of wear and use visible throughout. Old scuffs, marks and scratches and inconsistency visible to the surface consistent with age and use. Wrought-iron hinges appear to be original. Each table has a leaf with a straight vertical edge and a rounded vertical edge, the straight edges are meant to come together to create a long, two-section dining table, while the rounded edges are the exterior of the two-section table. When tables are fully extended and pushed together (there was never hardware to physically attach them), there is a 1/8” difference in height, likely due to slight upward warp of one board and downward warp of the other. Few age cracks visible throughout. Each previously fitted with casters.
Section 1: One foot previously cracked and reglued, likely an age crack that ran through. The rule joint connecting the exterior board shows an old 8 1/4” patch. There is an 8 1/2” triangular patch to the exterior board where it joins the rule joint on the opposite side of the previously mentioned repair. There is a 3/4” x 3” patch to the central board at the edge along the rule joint of the interior drop-leaf. There is an old 1/2” square loss to the rule joint of the interior board, but no concerns for the integrity or function of the leaf. Each of the legs shows later pegs at the junction with the case or swing legs, suggesting they were loose and needed to be strengthened. One swing leg and one stationary leg shows corresponding vertical 1/2” patches to the block at the top of the leg. Two screws missing to secure the top to the case, but doesn’t cause any structural issues.
Section 2: 9 1/2” of the exterior drop-leaf is replaced along the rounded edge. All four knee returns are replaced. The carved foot of the swing leg for the interior drop-leaf is patched, about 3/4 of the foot, going in up into the carved tendons of the front talon. Each leg block is repinned at the junction with the case or respective swing leg.
In overall fine, stable and usable condition. Retains an early surface and finish, with areas of wear and use visible throughout. Old scuffs, marks and scratches and inconsistency visible to the surface consistent with age and use. Wrought-iron hinges appear to be original. Each table has a leaf with a straight vertical edge and a rounded vertical edge, the straight edges are meant to come together to create a long, two-section dining table, while the rounded edges are the exterior of the two-section table. When tables are fully extended and pushed together (there was never hardware to physically attach them), there is a 1/8” difference in height, likely due to slight upward warp of one board and downward warp of the other. Few age cracks visible throughout. Each previously fitted with casters.
Section 1: One foot previously cracked and reglued, likely an age crack that ran through. The rule joint connecting the exterior board shows an old 8 1/4” patch. There is an 8 1/2” triangular patch to the exterior board where it joins the rule joint on the opposite side of the previously mentioned repair. There is a 3/4” x 3” patch to the central board at the edge along the rule joint of the interior drop-leaf. There is an old 1/2” square loss to the rule joint of the interior board, but no concerns for the integrity or function of the leaf. Each of the legs shows later pegs at the junction with the case or swing legs, suggesting they were loose and needed to be strengthened. One swing leg and one stationary leg shows corresponding vertical 1/2” patches to the block at the top of the leg. Two screws missing to secure the top to the case, but doesn’t cause any structural issues.
Section 2: 9 1/2” of the exterior drop-leaf is replaced along the rounded edge. All four knee returns are replaced. The carved foot of the swing leg for the interior drop-leaf is patched, about 3/4 of the foot, going in up into the carved tendons of the front talon. Each leg block is repinned at the junction with the case or respective swing leg.
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