TheWoodWiz
Well-known member
A client brought this unusual 18th c. tea table into my shop for restoration. It's a recent de-accession from the Met, and it was labelled as an "18th c. Irish Tea Table".
By all accounts as far as I can tell, it's absolutely 18th c. The Mahogany is incredibly dark, hard, heavy and relatively straight grained. From what I've read about the early sources of Mahogany for England (and surrounds?), it matches the description of Jamaican Mahogany.
But I've never seen a tripod base where the feet are carved as snakes ! Additionally, there are snakes and newts climbing up the post and carved right around the edge of the top. I believe the reference is to St. Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland?
When I first saw photos of it, I thought I wouldn't like it. But when I saw it in person, I realized it has a wonderful and captivating presence. After working on it some I've grown extremely fond of it!
I'm curious to see if anyone can tell me anything about it. Looking forward to your comments,
JB
By all accounts as far as I can tell, it's absolutely 18th c. The Mahogany is incredibly dark, hard, heavy and relatively straight grained. From what I've read about the early sources of Mahogany for England (and surrounds?), it matches the description of Jamaican Mahogany.
But I've never seen a tripod base where the feet are carved as snakes ! Additionally, there are snakes and newts climbing up the post and carved right around the edge of the top. I believe the reference is to St. Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland?
When I first saw photos of it, I thought I wouldn't like it. But when I saw it in person, I realized it has a wonderful and captivating presence. After working on it some I've grown extremely fond of it!
I'm curious to see if anyone can tell me anything about it. Looking forward to your comments,
JB
