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Lot Essay
The incurvate rails of this table relate it closely to a four-legged drop-leaf dining table of similar size attributed to Thomas Seymour (1771-1848) and illustrated in Robert D. Mussey, The Furniture Masterworks of John and Thomas Seymour (Salem, 2003), pp. 332-333, cat. No. 99. These two dining tables share certain construction characteristics that are typical of the Seymour workshop. The mahogany drawer sides that are seen here are often seen in Thomas Seymour's work after 1805. Both tables have white pine inner apron rails nailed and glued to the outer rails of birch. Each table has meticulously-cut knuckled hinge joints, with each knuckle set having distinct scribe lines. Additionally, this table exhibits a central cross brace with tenons through the side, another example of the meticulous craftsmanship associated with the Seymour workshop. The incurvate end rails constructed of solid pine blocks are built up out of horizontally laminated boards. While this particular table has two boards instead of three, they are constructed in a similar manner.
The incurvate rails of the table relate it closely to a small group of Pembroke tables, all with similarly curved ends. One of these tables is illustrated in Vernon C. Stoneman John and Thomas Seymour, Cabinetmakers in Boston 1794-1816 (Boston, 1969), p. 296. Another table with incurvate ends is cited in Mussey, p. 461, no. 66, as being formerly in the collection of Jerome Blum.
Other Swan family pieces with possible attribution to Seymour's workshop include a set of four armchairs owned by James and Hepzibah Swan of Dorchester, Massachusetts (Mussey, cat. 130) and a pair of card tables, also owned by descendents of James Swan (Mussey, cat. 112).
The incurvate rails of the table relate it closely to a small group of Pembroke tables, all with similarly curved ends. One of these tables is illustrated in Vernon C. Stoneman John and Thomas Seymour, Cabinetmakers in Boston 1794-1816 (Boston, 1969), p. 296. Another table with incurvate ends is cited in Mussey, p. 461, no. 66, as being formerly in the collection of Jerome Blum.
Other Swan family pieces with possible attribution to Seymour's workshop include a set of four armchairs owned by James and Hepzibah Swan of Dorchester, Massachusetts (Mussey, cat. 130) and a pair of card tables, also owned by descendents of James Swan (Mussey, cat. 112).