This sideboard is a beautiful
example of the Seymour work being done in Boston in
the early 19th century. This sideboard relies on its
beautifully figured mahogany, which is crossbanded
with rosewood between a line inlay of satinwood and
ebony. It retains a very austere rectangle shape,
which is quite classical and an antithesis to the
earlier Chippendale scrolled and curved lines. Note
the top is a beautiful clear piece of solid mahogany,
which is crossbanded on the edge with satinwood and
line inlays.
The base has the
lunette molding often associated with the Seymours
and our attribution to the Seymours relies on the
construction details in this piece as described by
Robert Mussey in The Furniture Masterworks of John
and Thomas Seymour. i.e. the bottom of the drawer
blocking is exactly as shown as hallmarks of the Seymour’s
work (see this comparison).
Interestingly, the brasses are the original and are
of the sphinx design which the Seymours used on a
number of their pieces (see
detail).

Height: 40 1/4in.  Length: 67in.  Depth: 23 1/2in.