American Empire Mahogany Table 1830-1840 has Doves and Heart . Well Preserved Original. Believed Joseph Meeks, as it is similar to those in the 1833 Meeks catalogue, but has no makers marks. There is a very similar table in the Oldest House Museum, Key West, but the veneer is not as nice as this one.. Note; I have concluded by comparing that table with this, that Meeks, probably others at beginning of the industrial revolution, made common elements as tops, bases and filler pieces that were interchangeable; so all were similar, but no 2 pieces are alike. I do not believe anyone else has made this observation. Again, this is unmarked, but appears like those in the Meeks catalogue. This has original casters. They were part of the design; when placed on a wood floor, gave a light appearance; though overall impression was classic to match the Greek Revival houses they were designed for. American Empire showed the flame mahogany as no other style did. after 1840, More ornate and less Classical Victorian homes and furniture became popular, but this will always be part of the Gone With the Wind Plantation and other large Greek Revival homes. Also, by that time the centuries old mahogany trees were becoming scarce, so later styles did not have this quality veneer. Top appears to be solid mahogany either lays flat or folds open. It is called a whist table, as it was the card table of that era. top swings open to reveal storage for game pieces. It appears solid and heavy, but is very light, as pieces were shipped disassembled by ship, horse and wagon. This has unusually good original veneer , with a few chips, but overall very beautiful. Every 50 years this style is copied again, but later versions do not have the magnificent veneer. When shipping, I will unbolt the iron bolt through the center and disassemble for packing and shipping, same as when it was new.


Condition:
Alterations: Original Condition Unaltered
Imperfections: Some Imperfections
Condition Notes: Very good original appearance for a piece this old. varnish has not darkened as on most pieces, so original flame mahogany veneer is lovely. If placed in a spot where sunlight shines on it; part of the day, natural light will bring out the same glow it had 190 years ago. I normally place it by a wall with the top folded against the wall. It has small water stains on the top caused by a hurricane. I had shuttered my windows before Irma hit, but left a window open 3 inches on the downwind side. When the eye passed over the house during the night, wind reversed, came in the small gap and blew across the room soaking the table top

Origin:
United States

Materials & Techniques:
Lights, Veneer

Details:
Country of Origin: United States
What type of item is it? Vintage / Antique / Used
Table Shape: Rectangle

Original Condition Unaltered; Some Imperfections; Very good original appearance for a piece this old. varnish has not darkened as on most pieces, so original flame mahogany veneer is lovely. If placed in a spot where sunlight shines on it; part of the day, natural light will bring out the same glow it had 190 years ago. I normally place it by a wall with the top folded against the wall. It has small water stains on the top caused by a hurricane. I had shuttered my windows before Irma hit, but left a window open 3 inches on the downwind side. When the eye passed over the house during the night, wind reversed, came in the small gap and blew across the room soaking the table top