A fine example of an American Federal mahogany inlaid sideboard from New York or New Jersey, circa 1790-1810. This regional interpretation of a new and specialized furniture form exhibits distinctive construction, inlay, and design characteristics, common to New York and New Jersey cabinetmakers of the Federal Era (1786-1820). It is interesting to note here that the sideboard was a new form of furniture in the late 18th century. In general, rooms of the 18th century were multi-functional; as activities changed throughout the day, so did much of the furniture designated in a room. Therefore, before the Neo-classic era (1785-1820), households did not have a room reserved exclusively for dining. It may have been George Washington's construction of a formal dining room at Mount Vernon that helped promote this trend (MESDA, "The Neoclassical Dining Room", November 1988, p.1). Sideboards, then, began replacing the ubiquitous marble-topped pier table as a place from which to serve hot and cold foods, as well as a space to display valuable silver and porcelains. It also afforded one the utility of storage space in the drawers it provided. The design was first illustrated in The Cabinet-Maker and Upholster's Guide (London 1788), by George Hepplewhite who described the form and purpose as follows:

The great utility of this piece of furniture has procured it a very general
reception; and the conveniences it affords renders a dining-room
incomplete without a sideboard. Of those with drawers, we have given two designs; the first.shews {sic} the internal construction and conveniences of the drawers; The right hand drawer has partitions for nine bottles.Behind this is a place for cloths or napkins the whole depth of the drawer. The drawer on the left has two divisions, the hinder one lined with green cloth to hold plate.thefront one is lined with lead for the convenience of holding water to wash glasses.the long drawer in the middle is adapted for table linen.The general custom is to make the form 5 and half to 7 feet long, 3 feet high, from 28 to 32 inches wide. The ornaments to the fronts of which may be carved, painted, or inlaid with
various colored wood.

Condition and Construction: The sideboard presented here is comprised of an "ovolo" shaped solid mahogany top free of any patches or ferrous oxide stains commonly occurring on serving pieces. The edges of the top are cross-banded with mahogany veneers, which have been professionally conserved. The sideboard's front is richly veneered with crotch mahogany. It is comprised of two side drawers which conform to the 'd' front top and a long central drawer, all of which retain the original stamped oval brasses marked by the manufacturer "H J". The lower element is comprised of a central two-door cupboard flanked by two curved doors revealing additional storage space. The brass hinges joining the doors to the case are original, however, the locks and escutcheon plates are modern replacements. The whole case rests on six tapered inlaid legs adorned with satinwood lozenges and over lapping "husks" inlays. The tops of the legs feature "book" inlays. The legs are free of any breaks or repairs. The ankle banding at the leg bottoms is replaced. The back of the sideboard is constructed of a single piece of
white pine. Other than the typical minor small repairs to various inlays and
drawer runners, the sideboard contains no major alterations or restoration.
The existing finish on the piece (approximately seventy-five years old) has
been professionally conserved with numerous applications of shellac,
resulting in a desirable warm honey color.

Dimensions: Height overall 42 ½", Width overall 82 ½", Depth overall 27 ¾".

Materials: Mahogany, mahogany veneers, white pine, poplar, cherry, various undetermined light colored inlays, brass and steel.

CA.01.155 (2)