American Chippendale Ball & Claw Drop Leaf Console Table, Connecticut c. 1770 - $3,970 - (Shippensburg, PA)

AMERICAN CHIPPENDALE BALL AND CLAW CONSOLE TABLE Probably Connecticut River Valley, c. 1770-90 Item # 130309GZP24 A fine work of the American Chippendale period, this form is intended for display against the wall with it's exposed apron facing out. As such, the front two legs are highlighted with beautiful raised shells while the rear legs are unadorned. Crafted of what appears to be [not micro-analyzed] an American Black Walnut of well selected flowing grain, the top board and leaf both display a wonderful ribbing at the center surrounded by wide flowing veins; similarly in the apron and legs, the veins are large and run in distinct channels in a way that enhances the cabriole of the leg and does not distract from the scrolling scallop of the apron. While single leaf drop-leaf tables are predominantly found in Massachusetts, this table exhibits every indication of being of Connecticut craftsmanship with the distinct influence of Delaware River Valley tradition in it's construction and form. The sides of the apron are recessed, the inner edges of the leg posts being thumb molded and flanking the inset apron and knee returns, clearly reminiscent of Philadelphia treatment of this leg [see Kugelman, p. 136, fig 3.5 for a discussion of similar features on a dining table with East Windsor CT provenance and likely origin]. Likewise, the pinned tenon-mortise joinery in the frame and legs is borrowed from this region. The intensely scalloped apron exudes grace and liveliness with a repeating lobe flanked by a half step [for similar apron treatments see Kugelman, p. 88-91 - those documented of Wethersfield, Connecticut craftsmanship]. The purity of the craftsmanship is representative of a very accomplished artisan; every detail is perfected. Note the close up images of the underside of the returns; while usually these are left unfinished and roughed, these have clearly been finished to remove most of the rough chisel marks while the uneven nature of the hand carved surfac…

Posted in Shippensburg, PA, Antiques
From ebay.com - 1 month ago