Requires Photography
Card table
about 1790-1810
Object Place: Probably Newburyport, Massachusetts, United States
Dimensions
Overall: 73.3 x 90 x 43.8 cm (28 7/8 x 35 7/16 x 17 1/4 in.)
Accession Number
1971.423
Medium or Technique
Mahogany,mahogany veneer, satinwood, pine
Not On View
Collections
Classifications
Card table in the style of Hepplewhite. Mahogany and mahogany veneered. D-shaped when top is folded in half; four straight, tapering legs with stainwood (or birch)stringing; stainwood banding around three sides of legs about 3” up from floor; diamond formed by stringing on skirt of table just above each leg; satinwood and mahogany ganding around bottom of table skirt; inlaid and beading; framed panel in front center of table skirt enclosing a fringed conch with bug shell inlaid in satinwood oval. This shell inlay is repeated on several other MA pieces in the MFA collection. Small banding around rim of table top; when top opens, left back leg swings out to receive it.
Inscription
On the back section of the table frame is a wooden plate with the following inscription: "Capt. Wm. Caldwell 1800 / Sarah H. Whittier 1888"
Provenance
By tradition, owned originally by Capt William Caldwell (d. Jan. 17, 1819), born in Newburyport, who married Abigail Woodman on Sept. 18, 1768. William Caldwell operated a tavern in Timothy Dexter House for a time. By descent to their daughter, Martha A. Caldwell, who was born on Jan 23, 1786 and married Albert G. Whittier.By descent to Martha's daughter, Sarah Haseltine Whittier, who was born on Dec. 12, 1842, and died on May 13, 1912. Later acquired by the collectors Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bybee; 1971, given by them to the MFA (Accession Date November 10, 1971)
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Bybee