Table
Original OwnerPossibly originally owned by
Mathew Grant
(American)
Furniture MakerPossibly made by
John Moore III
(1665 - 1752)
Dateabout 1680
MediumOak
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overal height x width x depth): 30 9/16 x 69 3/8 x 32 1/4in. (77.6 x 176.2 x 81.9cm)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LineGift of Harold G. Holcombe
Object number1949.1.1
DescriptionOak table in the seventeenth century style. The refectory table has characteristics associated with the Foliated Vine group, specifically the Moore shop tradition. The top has a wide overhang and a cleat, or thin strip of wood, joined to each end. Each end and side of the table has a rail over a skirt with an elaborately shaped lower edge. Each rail has a horizontal band of flat, recessed molding over a flat, projecting, band. Each end skirt consists of an arch flanked by a horizontal, a hanging circle, a deep curve, and a horizontal. Each side skirt consists of two elongated repetitions of this same skirt pattern, with a tear-shaped drop pendant applied to the underside of each arch. Each straight, turned leg has a thick ring over a section that tapers from ankle to top with a ring about two inches down the tapered section, over a compressed ball, a rectangular ankle, and a compressed ball foot. The ankles are connected with thick horizontal stretchers. Each end stretcher has a band of recessed horizontal molding. The table has an overall dark brown finish with some black paint in the recessed molding.
Condition: The cleats are later replacements or additions. The braces on the underside of the top and wood added at the top of the frame are later replacements. The hanging pendants are probably all replaced, but are in their original location. Both hanging curves in the center underside of the side rails are replaced. All but one of the eight corner brackets that form the ends of the shaped skirts have been replaced (the original bracket has a rough interior surface and has a nail on the underside of the shallow end). At least one of the side stretchers may be replaced.
Design and Construction Details:
Frame (original construction). Each rail is tenoned into the top of the leg post and double pinned. The skirt is formed from thin boards with a shaped lower edge that are inserted into a groove in the bottom of the rail, and then tenoned and pinned to the leg post. The hanging pendants are joined to the rail with a wooden pin. Each stretcher is tenoned and double pinned into the ankle.
Design Details. The interior side of both end stretchers has a horizontal band of recessed molding. The interior edge of both side rails has an incised pattern of squat tulip-shaped flowers and incised gouge marks in a random pattern.
Top. The top is formed from two boards. Each cleat (added later or replaced) is joined to the ends of the boards with a spline joint. All four edges of the top have a rounded profile. The top is further supported from beneath by three braces (later additions) that extend the depth of the top, at the center and each end of the frame. These braces are screwed to the underside of the top, and in turn rest on top of the frame. Thin pieces of wood (later additions) are located at the top of the frame, to fill in the gap between the rail and the elevated top above.
NotesHistorical Note: Mathew Grant (1601-1681) was a house carpenter and one of the first settlers of Windsor, Connecticut. He was the father of Samuel Grant Sr. (1631-1718) and the grandfather of Ebenezer Grant. (Hudson 6/28/2005)Condition: The cleats are later replacements or additions. The braces on the underside of the top and wood added at the top of the frame are later replacements. The hanging pendants are probably all replaced, but are in their original location. Both hanging curves in the center underside of the side rails are replaced. All but one of the eight corner brackets that form the ends of the shaped skirts have been replaced (the original bracket has a rough interior surface and has a nail on the underside of the shallow end). At least one of the side stretchers may be replaced.
Design and Construction Details:
Frame (original construction). Each rail is tenoned into the top of the leg post and double pinned. The skirt is formed from thin boards with a shaped lower edge that are inserted into a groove in the bottom of the rail, and then tenoned and pinned to the leg post. The hanging pendants are joined to the rail with a wooden pin. Each stretcher is tenoned and double pinned into the ankle.
Design Details. The interior side of both end stretchers has a horizontal band of recessed molding. The interior edge of both side rails has an incised pattern of squat tulip-shaped flowers and incised gouge marks in a random pattern.
Top. The top is formed from two boards. Each cleat (added later or replaced) is joined to the ends of the boards with a spline joint. All four edges of the top have a rounded profile. The top is further supported from beneath by three braces (later additions) that extend the depth of the top, at the center and each end of the frame. These braces are screwed to the underside of the top, and in turn rest on top of the frame. Thin pieces of wood (later additions) are located at the top of the frame, to fill in the gap between the rail and the elevated top above.
Historical Note: According to a note written by the donor's mother, she found this table in the a cellar. For 75 years, it was used in that cellar to carve hogs after they were slaughtered in the autumn. (Hudson 6/28/2005)
Status
Not on view
