A Mahogany Chippendale Pembroke Table with Pierced Stretchers, CT, c.1780

Generally, Connecticut Pembroke tables are composed of cherry, as mahogany was imported and very expensive. The mahogany used in this card table is truly magnificent. This is the finest ribbon grain dense mahogany used during the period, usually of Caribbean origin. Also, note should be made of the open pierced cross stretchers, which usually are replacements, as they become lost and broken through the years.  While this stretcher has had some breaks, it is all original, and robustly constructed. The unfinished surface and shrinkage reveal its correctness. Note the nicely chamfered inner edges of the legs, and the shapely underside drawer supports evidencing work of a special shop catering to the best.

In its time, this was an expensive table; as we have said, mahogany is very rarely seen in Connecticut furniture--where cherry was abundant--which indicates that this table is a very special one indeed. The bale pull is original.

This table was handled by a major dealer in New York, Levy, who handles top quality furniture and this example is a worthy example of the form.

Height: 28 1/2 in. Width: 19 1/2 in. - 36 1/2 in. Length: 28 in.