Federal Mahogany Inlaid Serpentine Sideboard

Description:

Federal Mahogany Inlaid Serpentine Sideboard, attributed to John Shaw (1745-1829),Annapolis, Maryland, c. 1797, the mahogany top with stringing in outline and a molded edge above the five-part fa~ade consisting of a center compartment with a door opening to three small fitted veneered drawers flanked by two large drawers and two end cupboards above six square tapering legs, the front four of which are elaborated with four descending three-part inlaid bellflowers separated by small circles, all legs terminate in spade feet cut from the solid; the fa~ade crotch mahogany inlays include two end cupboard ovals which enclose inlaid shell designs, and two cross-banded mahogany veneer ovals on the central cupboards above the corner brackets which are inlaid with neoclassical oak leaves, replaced brass pulls, old refinish, (minor veneer loss, one repaired leg),ht. 38, top wd. 71 3/4, case wd. 71, case center dp. 24 1/4 in. Note: John Shaw, a skilled cabinetmaker, had established a shop on Church Street in Annapolis by 1770. He worked there for approximately fifty years. The attribution of this piece is based on style and construction similarities to his known and labeled work. Literature: John Shaw Cabinetmaker of Annapolis, by William V. Elder III and Lou Bartlett, the Baltimore Museum of Art, an exhibition catalogue, September - November 1983. See plates #21 (pp. 84 and 85) and #38 (pp. 112-115).
Estimate $40,000-60,000

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