Small George III Writing Table in mahogany with a rectangular, hinged ratcheting top, two candle slides and a removable book rest on a turned, adjustable height pedestal base with tripod legs and slipper feet ending in brass castors. English, circa 1760

h:29 w:22 d:18.75 in.

An unusual and dramatic firescreen abattant. It reminds me of some of the smaller, New York classical parlor furniture I've seen in Southern house tours with late Federal drawing and music rooms furnished with pieces imported by successful merchants - almost, but not quite, over the top in their design yet direct in their function. So an argument could be made for high, New York city style. And the inlaid oval in the center, with pie crimped edge, is reminiscent of some New England work. The passive function is that of a firescreen and explains the distress to the side with inlay which likely faced the fireplace (rather than the upholstered side.) The "surprise" is the enclosed work area with the hinged top dropping to provide a writing surface (abattant [fr], "put horizontal") below the interior fitted with letter or document slots (only the back one of three dividing slats remaining - evidence of two more, and three segments which would have divided at least one of two lateral slots into three sections.) Perhaps because of the narrow profile, there appears to be no secondary wood under or behind any of the solid mahogany. Condition is quite good considering the likely heat exposure as a firescreen and probable stress to the hinged top which relies upon the case as a counter-stop. We had distress to the inlaid surface evened out, filled and finished - disturbing old finish as less as possible - to make it presentable for the decorator yet acceptable to the collector. We left the old upholstery (possibly original) alone for the next steward to decide. Our restorer (specializing in period furniture) had also never before encountered this design. Our photographs illustrate the character of the old, now serviceable inlaid surface. Ca 1800 - 1810. Height, about 42 3/4 inches. Width, about 21 5/8 inches (about 22 1/4 inches wide at the trestle base).

This firescreen abattant may be inspected at The Antique Center at Historic Savage Mill, Maryland

Charming American Miniature Blanket Chest in chestnut, having a hinged moulded edge top opening to a well, a single lower drawer and raised on straight bracket feet. Note the fine dovetail work on the sides.

American 1780-1800.

Many miniatures are labeled as "salesman's samples" but many were the work of apprentices to show their skills to the master craftsman.

12.5 x 7" x 8.5" tall
(one back foot ended out)

An Edo period kake-suzuribako (scroll calligraphy box). Iron hardware all in place. Lock face and key but lock works mostly gutted. Original tray with liner retained. Wood surface naturally distressed from use but with expected, even patina with all the accompanying charm. A smoothly finished zelkova (keyaki) may be used for the primary wood, and sugi (cedar) for the aromatic secondary wood. Length, 14 1/4 inches. Depth, 9 1/2 inches. Height, 9 3/4 inches.

A Federal sewing table of elegant form. Mahogany legs and mahogany veneered skirt - both with string inlay. Stylized, bentwood stretchers with mahogany veneer bracing the graceful, tapering legs. The top a later replacement and the key escutcheon without a lock mechanism. Early 19th century and later. Refinished. Serviceable condition. Height, 31 1/4 inches. Width 18 5/8 inches. Depth, 14 3/8 inches.

This table may be inspected at The Antique Center at Historic Savage Mill, Maryland

Antique Renaissance Revival Desk Cabinet, ebonized with ormolu mounts, having a galleryed superstructure with a hinged door below, opening to a divider interior, and raised on flattened ball feet.

Probably French, circa 1870

Height: 24.75"
Width: 14.75"
Depth : 7.5"

Antique Dueling Pistol Case in mahogany, rectangular with brass carrying handles, now having a marbled paper interior and mounted on a later Chippendale style stand. Probably English, late 18th/early 19th Century.

Top: 20.25" x 14.25"
Height w/ stand: 23"

Antique Dutch Turned Mahogany Peat Bucket having tapering staved sides with molded and ring turnings and with brass liner and carrying handle. Holland, circa 1820 Height to Rim: 12.5" Diameter: 12.5"

Exceptional Antique Eglomise Lacemakers Box on later Stand; rectangular with lid and sides with gilt decoration against a white ground and the lid with a painted scene of a thatched farmhouse, opening to fitted interior with removable tray and lacemakers spindle/roller. 19th Century (minor paint losses)

Box: 13.25" x 11" x 4.5"
With stand: 30.25" tall

Antique English Bagatelle Box in Mahogany with original wooden insert and later ball and cues, now mounted on a metal stand.

Circa 1840

Bagatelle was a billiards-derived indoor table game, the object of which was to get a number of balls past wooden pins into holes that are guarded by wooden pegs; penalties were incurred if the pegs are knocked over.

36" x 17.75" x 18.5" tall (closed)

Fine Antique English Canterbury in Walnut, having four pierced partitions with “C” scroll carved decoration above a single drawer and raised on turned ball form feet with brass casters. Circa 1850-1870

Originally designed for sheet music, these are now used primarily as magazine racks. To see other examples, type "canterbury" into the search box.

Height: 20”
Width: 20.5”
Depth: 14.5”

Antique English Regency style child's high chair in mahogany with caned seat and back, with a replaced adjustable footrest, turned cross stretcher and detachable turned leg stand. The stand can then serve as a small table when used with the chair.Late 19th century.

Height: 36”
Width: 17”
Depth: 14.5”

Antique English Tea Chest in the Form of a Sideboard, in mahogany and deal, having a rectangular hinged top with shaped and carved backsplash which opens to a sugarbowl, the front with two cabinet doors opening to lidded tea caddies.

Exhibited: “A Celebration of the Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party” at Doyles, Boston 2024

William Smee & Sons, London, published a catalog of furniture designs in 1850 which had sideboards of similar form. (See Pictorial Dictionary of British 19th Century Furniture Designs by Edward Joy, pp 435-36.) 14"x5"x12.75"tall (key)

Antique English Umbrella or Stick Stand of Coopered construction, oval, with brass binding with oak staves. Now fitted with a divided top and interior tin drip tray. 18th/19th Century.

16" x 13" x 24.5" tall

This Federal lift-top chest with lower drawer reminds of southern American sugar chests. With proportions being comparable, this low-height chest is more formal with mahogany, on the small side and without a divided top compartment. With yellow pine secondary wood, the frame is raised on french feet. Sourced from Middleburg, Virginia. The line of inlay across the front of the lift-top is old but not original (old hinge marks showing that the top was reversed back to front at some point). The other inlay was replaced by us to fill routing where inlay (probably also added later) was missing. The front pulls were added to replace cheap Chippendale style brasses which weren’t appropriate. We’ve used it as a cellarette. Wine bottles fit perfectly in the drawer (as you can see from one of our pictures). Other practical uses may have been as a silver chest or a campaign chest. The top compartment with lift top is likewise well proportioned to take accessories, wine bottles on their side and other, smaller bottles standing upright. Good, restored condition. Height, 27 7/8 inches. Width, 23 3/16 inches. Depth, 17 1/16 inches.

An appointment would be necessary to inspect this chest

A nicely proportioned, elegant Sheraton cellarette. The case joined to the framed base, raised on turned legs. Escutcheon with associated lock but no key. Bottom of the case interior fitted with 4 1/2 inch high dividers for eight bottle positions. Old finish. Appears to be white pine secondary with a red paint wash and quite oxidized on the underside. Looking at our picture of the underside, one board from the back of the supporting frame can be discerned as a replacement. Also from that image, an illegible (to us) maker’s scrawl, large across the bottom of the case, is observed. We believe this cellarette is American Federal rather than English late Georgian. Circa 1820. Good condition. Easily holds champagne and other 750ml bottles. An easily placed size at 26 1/2 inches high, 20 inches wide and 11 1/4 inches deep.

An appointment would be necessary to inspect this cellarette

A George III mahogany table. The pie crust tilt on turned pedestal with three legs terminating on slipper feet. The form and style generally known by reference to Chippendale. The size between what might be used for wine or for tea. 18th century. Fair and serviceable condition with an old repair to the base of the column and to one foot. Height, 27 inches. Diameter, about 24 1/8 inches.

This table may be inspected at The Antique Center at Historic Savage Mill, Maryland

Chippendale mahogany reverse serpentine (oxbow) slant front desk. Ball and claw feet. Circa 1770. Good, old surface. Relined drawers. Original back and bottom show the age and oxidation of some original, untouched secondary surfaces. Replaced drawer brasses. Some loose, smaller pulls for slant front slide supports and interior gallery drawers retained. A locksmith need be retained to loose the top drawer. Otherwise good condition. Massachusetts, probably Boston. Height, 44 1/2 inches. Width, 41 1/2 inches. Depth, 27 inches (add another 1.5 inches for convex drawer fronts and foot returns). A rare opportunity to acquire, enjoy and conserve as steward a beautiful specimen born with our country.

This desk may be inspected at The Antique Center at Historic Savage Mill, Maryland