This table is a rare example of early post-1800 Newport furniture that eventually ceased production. This was the end of the early Colonial masterpieces of the Townsend Goddard era. Newport was in economic decline. At this time, John Goddard had passed away and his son Stephen (with others, including Holmes Weaver), continued in the Hepplewhite fashion favored at the time. This piece is one such example.
This marble top closely relates to earlier Colonial shaped tops but now on a Hepplewhite base with straight inlaid legs and not as in the earlier tables with shaped legs terminating often with claw and ball feet.
One example of this Hepplewhite form is illustrated in American Furniture from the Kaufman Collection, J. Michael Flanagan no. 78.1, and is attributed to the Levin Tarr group in Baltimore, 1795–1810. We, however, attribute our model to Rhode Island because it clearly shows the work of Stephen Goddard and his circle with the inclusion of fine inlay within the petal motif on the leg. There are other examples of this technique in our collection both in the card table and drop leaf table style. Although these examples are rare they do not have marble/slab tops, and this is the only one known.
Acquiring this piece must answer the question of association of the top with the base. The top clearly shows, when removed, the age markers of time underneath, clearly showing beyond doubt it always lived with its base. The condition of the rest of the case showed no breaks, alterations or repairs.
This piece did not go unknown to the knowledgeable appraiser who practiced his trade in the last quarter of the 20th century. His name was Nino Scotti, founder of Associated Antique Appraisers. Nino was the son of an established doctor in Providence, on the historic East Side area of College Hill near Brown University. Nino always wore a white shirt, tie and suit. He was the only one that all the lawyers used for estate appraisals, and many of these estates were from old Yankee families. Once a year he had an auction that was highly advertised with only fresh items from these estates he appraised. He further charged no buyer’s commission. Needless to say, Nino came by many very important pieces. One such piece is this small sideboard/server which was left years later in his estate. You might say it was a keeper. It was later brought to the New Hampshire Antique Show by two local Providence dealers, Ferguson & D’Arruda, upon his death. Their bill of sale states it “descended in the Church family of Bristol, Rhode Island ex collection and estate of Nino Scotti.” I knew these dealers as they had a small place in Providence, did primarily antique, and personally knew Nino. These dealers had a very strong price on it, but it was a must have. It had rarity, beauty, and condition… and tells the story of the closing of Newport’s furniture production and economic decline as a vital port city in America.
Height: 36 in. Width: 52 in. Case Width: 40 1/2 in. Depth: 26 in.
Revised Sep 8, 2025, 11:59 AM