ATTRIBUTED TO JOHN (1738-1818) AND THOMAS SEYMOUR (1771-1848), BOSTON, 1800-1820

This sideboard can be stylistically attributed to John (1738-1818) and Thomas Seymour (1771-1848) because of the precise drawer construction and vibrant use of highly figured veneers. Cabinets and joined construction can be linked to the Seymour shop because they present the habitually precise and high quality work superior to their Boston contemporaries. Strongly rooted in the English tradition, John Seymour and his family emigrated in 1784, the father-son team worked from a first edition copy of Sheraton's seminal design tome The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Drawing-Book. Their constructions present precise medium sized dovetails, drawer bottoms that slide into grooves cut into the drawer sides and fronts which are then secured to the back board with a small nail, and long glue blocks that line the front edge of the drawer.
The present sideboard is based on a standard Scottish design; the stepped-back upper tier of drawers could have been observed on a contemporary example in Boston. The highly figured birds-eye maple veneers which became fashionable in early 19th century Boston and add visual interest to this piece together with the reeded turned legs. This straight front variant of the two-tiered sideboard has a circular recess in the lower tier for the service and presentation of a punch bowl. This beautiful and elaborate side board would have been a part of the highly ritualized social dining displays during the Federal period.