An excellent American Federal inlaid card table, attributed to the workshop of Samuel Adams and William Todd (active 1798-1799), coastal Massachusetts.

The present table is virtually indistinguishable from a rare labeled example for the Adams and Todd workshop which resides in the permanent collection of “Historic Deerfield”, Deerfield, Massachusetts. While stylistic similarities occur with some frequency amongst competing cabinet shops of the American Federal Era, comparing the example presented here with a positively identified example provides scholars and collectors with the rare and tantalizing opportunity, in a suggestive sense, of linking the two to the same cabinet shop. Were this table unquestionably proven to be the work of Adams and Todd, it would make it one of the earliest turned and reeded card tables existing in America. Whatever the source, the maker of this table was clearly a master of his art, and had the ability to successfully amalgamate the best elements of the Federal vocabulary from coastal Massachusetts.

Condition and construction: The card table shown here is comprised of two solid boards of mahogany which allow for the playing surface. The boards are gracefully shaped in conforming serpentine sides and front. The board’s upper edge is adorned with inlaid “half-moon” lunettes, and inlay often associated with the Seymour family of cabinetmakers, but popular throughout Federal era coastal Massachusetts workshops. This inlay is decidedly American; the author knows of no pre-existing design source for this embellishment. The lower board is a reverse thumb-mold which serves as a visual “architectural” element. The card table’s skirt is constructed on three horizontal laminated white pine boards which are veneered on the front and sides. Each side features a series of light colored crotch veneers or reserves, bordered by mitered mahogany veneer frames. The central front reserves depicts an unusually dazzling two-part inlay of the same light-colored reserved bordered with the “half-moon” lunettes. The whole is supported by delicately turned and reeded legs. The two light colored reserves of either side of the table’s skirt have been replaced. The table retains a fine, mellow patinated color and finish. Excellent overall condition. The top is free of repairs or patches and includes the original brass hinges.

Provenence: A California Estate.

Inscriptions: The table has a chalk inscription on its back swing rail which appears to read “H Hall”.

Dimensions: Height 28 7/8”, Width 38”, Depth 18”.

Materials: Mahogany, mahogany veneers, various light-colored veneers and shaded inlays, white pine, brass, and steel.

Reference: The Furniture of Historic Deerfield, D. Fales, 1976.

CA.01.9.110