IMPORTANT QUEEN ANNE WALNUT TEA TABLE - CHARLESTON SOUTH CAROLINA CIRCA 1760

Description: IMPORTANT & RARE QUEEN ANNE PERIOD WALNUT TILT TOP TEA TABLE CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA CIRCA 1760With our absolute highest compliments Bay Colony Antiques takes the utmost pleasure in offering one of the finest and most significant tea tables we have ever had the privilege of owning. We are always traveling across the country in the pursuit of the earliest and rarest historical collections that are still in private ownership and it is only in that spirit that the discovery of institutional level antiques are even possible. Early American tea tables first came into fashion during the second quarter of the 18th century with the first generation of tables having primitive distinctions from the more sophisticated forms which emerged toward the years around the American Revolution. The Queen Anne variation is most commonly comprised of a circular top hinged to a pedestal base by two cleats mounted to the underside of the table. The tilt top tea table became a staple of early interior furnishing throughout the historical north east and both demand for the furniture form and cabinet makers and wood turners proficient in the style traveled from the wealthy northern port cities and into the southern colonies. It is the lowland regions of Charlestown, South Carolina and the greater region of Tidewater Virginia where the earliest southern examples of the Queen Anne tilting tea table are first encountered. The scholarship around the study of early Southern American furniture is a balanced discussion of refinement and primitive technical proficiency in the art of woodworking overall. Quite often a regional southern furnishing can be very well made but demonstrates that the craftsman is lacking in other areas that a seasoned craftsman from a port city may have been well versed in. For instance a southern chest may have a finely joined case but elements of the chest are blocky and disproportional. In the tradition of a Northeastern port city all apprentices in respective trades are taught to adhere to uniform standards of design which creates continuity between unrelated trade shops located in neighboring communities. Our passion for southern furniture extends from the fact that it is so unique and that no two pieces are truly ever identical. Throughout the 18th century a gradual evolution takes place where joinery, turning, carving, and design improves steadily until the end of the century where sophisticated forms and woodworking techniques are commonplace and proliferated extensively anywhere fine homes are found. For collectors of early and important furniture a strong desire for the earliest generation of these designs from the early Queen Anne era, circa 1740 - 1760, remain among the most heavily sought after in the entire American antiques market. This tea table now being offered at present is the perfect example of an early and important variation of the iconic Queen Anne form. The most sophisticated element of this tea table is the masterfully turned pedestal which is stylized after a classical Greco-Roman baluster. The pedestal is overall of one singular design however using transitional elements the turner created secondary designs such as a smaller classical column on the top of the pedestal and a compacted Grecian baluster form urn. The expertly designed pedestal is in contrast with other elements of the table which are less refined indicating the hand of a talented but unseasoned cabinetmaker. The overall stature of the table is diminutive with the height being slightly shorter than most tripod tea tables of this form. The table top is the same common form and size as most other tea tables from this era whereas tables with tops smaller in circumference are generally referred to as candlestands or kettle stands. The table is raised on three well formed snake legs which do not have the same refinement as the pedestal however do indicate that the cabinetmaker was proficient in the style. The original 18th century iron spider support is visible when the table is flipped over revealing tremendous character and age. Of particular interest is the original pedestal block which fastens the pedestal shaft to the cleat supports on the underside of the top. This element is the most primitive and distinctive of every component of the table. Marvelous rose head iron nails fashioned in the most simplistic 18th century manner are prominent indicating the early age and rural craftsmanship of this table. We note that a modern pivoting wooden latch was affixed to the back which allows the top to lock when the table is being used for serving. There is no evidence of any kind that there ever was a turtle lock or commonplace mechanism as is the case with nearly every Queen Anne table of this form. We believe that the simple wooden latch although replaced has served as the latching mechanism throughout the entire history of the table. In rural areas of American mechanisms were not commonly available and quite often tables were fitted later in their life with an appropriate latch. To find an example that was never fitted or altered with a mechanism is another testament to the early and rare nature of this exceptional tea table.WELCOMEWe are a wholly owned family business in our third decade of continuous operation. We have a large inventory of fine antiques ranging from Early American, Federal, Chippendale, Empire, Centennial, Victorian, 20th Century custom mahogany, Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern antique furniture along with decorative arts from across the globe. All the items we offer to the general public are high quality estate pieces. We do not offer goods with significant flaws or defects. We completely avoid items with issues. You can expect the items we sell to have reasonable wear and tear. Due to the large volume of goods we deal in we cannot describe items in minutia. We do our best to give you an accurate condition report in our description of the items. We have expert woodworkers and re-finishers on staff to service any piece of furniture we offer. We represent all merchandise in absolute good faith and to the very best of our ability. Please ask all questions, including, but not limited to, shipping costs prior to purchase. All items are sold as is and from their location. If you would like to find out about any number of our services, including appraisals and restoration, please ask us about our website for more information. SHIPPING & DELIVERIES We deliver within a 250 mile range of zip code 01105 for a low cost flat rate. We specialize in New York City and Boston deliveries at extremely reasonable rates. For items requiring shipping beyond our delivery zone, we offer freight or “Ground Services” shipping, depending on the size of the items. We ship anywhere within the Continental United States. Items will require packaging and palletizing for freight shipments. The buyer is responsible for the cost of materials only for this service. We perform this service without the cost of labor as an appreciation for your patronage. Freight class shipping is the fastest and most cost effective method of shipping large items. We can reach anywhere in America with a large shipment within 7-10 business days. We buy materials in bulk to save you excessive costs. The materials required for proper crating of items for their safe transit is so specialized we may need up to 7-10 business days to make sure we get absolutely what is required & do the best job possible. We go the extra mile by designing premium customized furniture crates for the ultimate protection of your purchase. We ship from our facility with a loading dock on a major trucking artery. This and our “volume shippers” discount creates a substantial lower cost for you. The least expensive method of shipping is business to business with loading docks. Next is a business without a dock and the last option is shipping to a resident. We are sending your shipments with freight carriers. They are not furniture movers who bring the items into your home. You are provided with curbside delivery of your shipments. We can get you special services in certain cases, but you are responsible for telling us you require them and for the extra cost of these services, if you instruct our shippers to provide services beyond curbside deliveries. We are responsible for any additional services and charged for these services. We absolutely maintain our right to collect the costs of these charges for services we did not authorize or were prepaid for. MERCHANDISE PICK UP AND STORAGEAll our customers are welcome to come to our facility to pick up their purchases free of charge. You can expect friendly help in loading your purchase in your vehicle. We ask that you come ready to transport your purchase by having ample pads or blankets to protect your item in transit. We don’t like to send nice people off with things tied to roof racks. We also do not desire to charge storage fees, but we are holding some purchases for over three years now and are under no contract to. We are not a storage facility. We are happy to hold your items for a reasonable pre-agreed upon period. Beyond or absent any specified contract a $50.00 dollar per week storage fee will apply.ON-LINE SALES/TERMS OF USEAll Massachusetts residents are subject to the 6.25% sales tax unless you possess a valid resale number from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We do not accept returns so please, ask all questions prior to submitting an offer or purchasing. We have a zero tolerance policy for non-paying buyers. Any offer we accept is a binding sale and subject to the conditions herein. Massachusetts General Law applies to all sales. Bidding on and purchasing any item is under the acknowledgment of the buyer and is consent to the contractual agreement set forth herein. This agreement is in full force and effect on any item purchased through our Ebay store and on items purchased through us and our gallery. We strive to make your on-line buying experience as easy and pleasant as possible. We accept all major credit cards and are delighted to answer any questions that you may have or provide services you may need.

Price: 4875 USD

Location: Springfield, Massachusetts

End Time: 2025-01-27T22:57:55.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 USD