Rhode Island Federal Games Tables, ca. 1810
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GUEST:
They're from my mother's family. They've been in our family about 250 years. My mother is from Maine, on the coast of Maine.
APPRAISER:
Okay.
GUEST:
The story is that they come from Boston. And they've been in our family since the Revolutionary War.
APPRAISER:
Okay.
GUEST:
I don't know if that's true or not. (laughs)
APPRAISER:
Let me tell you about these tables.
GUEST:
Okay.
APPRAISER:
These tables were made after the Revolutionary War.
GUEST:
Okay.
APPRAISER:
In about circa 1810. And after the war, America grasped hold of this incredible new style called the Federal style.
GUEST:
Mm-hmm.
APPRAISER:
It was a reaction, really, against the Chippendale-Rococo style with all the curves and carving. We have these demilune perfect half-circles. Very balanced, everything.
GUEST:
Yep.
APPRAISER:
These are games tables...
GUEST:
Yep.
APPRAISER:
...so this unfolds, as you know, and the leg swings out. And when you weren't using them, you'd put them against the wall and close it up.
GUEST:
Yep.
APPRAISER:
These oval paterae right there in the front,
GUEST:
Mm-hmm.
APPRAISER:
typical of Federal, that's beautiful satinwood inlay, tapered legs-- I've never seen this fluted carving. Wonderful detail. Double cross, crossband at feet.
GUEST:
Mm-hmm.
APPRAISER:
At the bottom, yeah. These tables are probably made in-- based on the construction and the design and this pattern-- this table here with this fluting is typical of Rhode Island, as well as the patera. Now, did you have either of these appraised ever?
GUEST:
Um, this table in '94 apprai...
APPRAISER:
Okay.
GUEST:
…was appraised for $2,000.
APPRAISER:
$2,000, okay.
GUEST:
Yeah.
APPRAISER:
And how about that table?
GUEST:
This... no one's ever appraised this table.
APPRAISER:
No one's appraised the second table. This got unwrapped first,
GUEST:
Right.
APPRAISER:
then I looked at the second one. And as the wrapping came off…
GUEST:
Yes.
APPRAISER:
I saw this inlaid sprig. Now, that is characteristic of a maker named Howard-- Thomas Howard-- who worked in Providence-area Rhode Island.
GUEST:
Okay.
APPRAISER:
This is a, a Rhode Island table.
GUEST:
Okay.
APPRAISER:
And this adds quite a bit of interest to the table.
GUEST:
Okay.
APPRAISER:
I mean, it really does.
GUEST:
(laughs)
APPRAISER:
Collectors love that little delicate sprig.
GUEST:
Yeah.
APPRAISER:
Look at the wood, this, again, beautiful quality.
GUEST:
Yeah.
APPRAISER:
This inlaid edge adds a lot to it.
GUEST:
Yeah, that's so beautiful.
APPRAISER:
And look at this grungy finish on the top.
GUEST:
Right. That's worried me.
APPRAISER:
Now, you've never touched it?
GUEST:
It's white, and on the in... when you open it up, there's more of this white. And this wood is cracking.
APPRAISER:
Okay, looks like some stains here.
GUEST:
And that was... Right. Yeah.
APPRAISER:
It was used...
GUEST:
I don't even… I don't even put furniture polish on it.
APPRAISER:
What are these? These are sort of scratches there. Is that...
GUEST:
These are... I have a cat that sits on it sometimes to look out the window.
APPRAISER:
Oh okay.
GUEST:
And whenever I catch her on it, I stop it, I make her get off.
APPRAISER:
So she… she scratched them?
GUEST:
Yes.
APPRAISER:
I hope you never touch them. This is the history of the table.
GUEST:
Yeah, yeah the table.
APPRAISER:
And it's the original shellac from 1805, right around there.
GUEST:
Something, yeah.
APPRAISER:
This original finish makes a difference. This table, and the legs are a little bit wider, slightly lower, the proportions, and it doesn't have the sprigs. I would estimate this at $5,000 to $8,000 at auction.
GUEST:
Okay.
APPRAISER:
Now, this table, because of this incredible wood,
GUEST:
Right.
APPRAISER:
because of the original finish, because of these sprigs, it makes a big difference.
GUEST:
Right.
APPRAISER:
It’s… I put an auction estimate of $10,000 to $15,000.
GUEST:
Wow, that's fantastic.
APPRAISER:
It's an incredible table. They both are.
GUEST:
That's fantastic. (chuckles)
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