A Federal Mahogany Classical/Sheraton serving table, Salem, MA, Joseph McIntire, c.1815-20

This server is of small scale and makes a commanding presence.  It comes out of the Salem cabinetmaking concern of the McIntyre family, which employed both father and son, and involves apprentices working with or on their own in this coastal seaport during the first quarter of the 18th century.

Note the beautifully carved colonettes and strongly reeded legs.  The turret corners are reeded at the edge and nicely turned on top, revealing its old surface in the turnings.  This is the quintessential Salem form, as seen in the design of many other furniture types, (i.e. card tables, sideboards, etc.).  For comparison, see our Salem card table (sw02004) and a work table (sw01849).  This server is serpentine on three sides and almost reminiscent of its Chippendale antecedents.  This piece exhibits an old historic surface that we have cleaned down as it was fairly untouched when we acquired it.  The brasses, which are original, were black when we acquired the table.  Also, note the top, which is a solid mahogany and beautifully chosen for the swirl of the grain.   It has a wonderful amber patina.

Height: 34 1/2 in. 
Width: 36 1/2 in.
Depth: 18 1/2 in.