Announcement!  This item will be available at auction from Neal Auction Company on January 26th, 2019.  Preview exhibition is currently underway.  Click here to see our listings at nealauction.com.

The top of this worktable has two drop leaves composed of solid mahogany with molded edges and above three drawers, the top which has a writing desk, the middle drawer has small dividers, and the bottom drawer, a sewing basket, (which often is lost) which retains its original paper lining. All is composed of highly figured mahogany and is one of a grouping of tables attributed to Rufus Pierce, Boston, 1820.  The lyre form in furniture is desirable and associated with the classical mythological god, Apollo, who was the lover of fine music.

The carved lyre here is embellished with rosettes and is in-filled with strongly figured mahogany all of which rests upon a delicate curule legs (which retain their original casters), the base being developed with a figured panel inset sometimes absent in this grouping of worktables.  Further, this form varies in other design details, i.e. saber feet as opposed to curule, however they clearly are identifiable as probably the work of the Rufus Pierce shop (see attached scan for a related table).  A related table bearing a Rufus Pierce stenciled label is illustrated in American Cabinetmakers, William Ketchum, Jr..

Height: 28 in.  Width: 18 1/2 in.  Depth: 17 3/4 in.