Title
Newport Half-Round Mahogany Table
Object Type
Creator
Date
1796
Description
A half-round mahogany card table (American, circa 1796) made in Newport, RI and attributed to John Townsend. The lifting top opens to reveal a red felt playing surface, and the frieze is outlined with boxwood stringing and inlaid with oval fan pattern pateras. The square taper legs, also outlined with boxwood stringing, are surmounted by book inlay and inlaid at the capitals with pendant bellflowers, incorporating two pivoting forming gates to support the top when extended. One of a pair commissioned by Dr. David King of Newport from John Townsend. Both tables descended in the King family, the labeled mate in the King-Walker branch of the family was donated to Winterthur.
Rhode Island Furniture Archive Number: RIF1361
Rhode Island Furniture Archive Number: RIF1361
Cultural Origin
Newport (R.I.)
American
Medium
mahogany
Extent
73 x 44.5 cm (28 3/4 x 17 1/2 inches)
Collection
Source
Bequest of Gwendolen Armstrong Rives, 1972.
Identifier
PSNC.6380
For more information about this item, please contact its owning institution.