Walnut Gate-Leg Table
attributed to Northern Virginia, early 18th century, figured walnut top and frame, yellow pine secondary, single side-hung dovetailed drawer, scalloped skirt ends, ring-and-baluster turned posts and gates on turned feet, underside of center top with two cross-braces extending through the side rails to form the wooden hinges for the gates, rich original patinated surface overall, 29-1/4 x 60 x 63-1/2 in. (open), in excellent as-found condition, top with some warping and separations at joints, minor patches and repairs to drawer supports, some very early added screws and one early added hinge, underside of leaves fitted with later gate stops, minor old losses at drawer lips, drawer bottom possibly an early restoration(?). Notes: Arguably the finest known Southern William and Mary gate-leg table, this example survives in remarkable condition and with its original surface. When Israel Sack acquired the table, it shipped out of Richmond, Virginia, and he noted that it "would take me a little time to get the table here and send it as it is in the country". Several related tables, including one with a similarly scalloped skirt (MESDA File S-10873), as well as two examples with turned stretchers (S-923 and S-2251) are known. These tables are variously attributed to Eastern Maryland, northern neck of Virginia and Tidewater Virginia.. Provenance: Israel Sack, January 1947; Wieder Collection; by descent in family; Accompanied by two letters from Israel Sack to the Wieders, dated February 1946 and January 1947. "February 6, 1946, Dear Mr. Wieder: I can assure you that the man who had the table did not touch it. You are right in saying that a person who purchased a table of this sort would not touch the beautiful patina. The table has been shipped to you from Richmond, Va. Where it was. I hope that it will arrive in fine shape, and that you and your family will enjoy it for the next 200 years. You see I am not stingy. Thanking you for the check and wishing you lots of success, I am sincerely yours with kindest regards to your family, Israel Sack".
The other: "Dear Mr. Wieder: I finally succeeded in getting the table. I had to do a little swapping, on complying with your request and I will cut the price down to you to $3,000 which includes crating. It will take me a little time to get the table here and then send it to you as it is out in the country. The table is yours and I can tell you now that I am really pleased that it will be in a place where it will be loved and appreciated. I consider this table as one of the rarest specimens in an American product. The patina on that table is priceless and I am looking forward to a visit with you and to eat off the table because it is true what the Bible says "that you cannot live on bread alone, but without an occasional morsel of food we would not be able to sit up at the table." With kindest regards to your family, I am sincerely yours, Israel Sack".

in excellent as-found condition, top with some warping and separations at joints, minor patches and repairs to drawer supports, some very early added screws and one early added hinge, underside of leaves fitted with later gate stops, minor old losses at drawer lips, drawer bottom possibly an early restoration(?)