Antique Mahogany Hepplewhite Demilune Flip-Top Game Table, Philadelphia, Circa 1790s

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Antique Mahogany Hepplewhite Demilune Flip-Top Game Table, Philadelphia, Circa 1790s

A superb and refined example of late 18th-century Philadelphia Federal … Read more Antique Mahogany Hepplewhite Demilune Flip-Top Game Table, Philadelphia, Circa 1790s

A superb and refined example of late 18th-century Philadelphia Federal cabinetmaking, this elegant demilune flip-top game table represents the height of American Hepplewhite design at its most sophisticated. Philadelphia was the preeminent center of American furniture making in the Federal period, and this table reflects the city's celebrated tradition of producing work of exceptional quality and understated elegance.
The beautifully figured mahogany top opens from its demilune folded position to a full 35-inch deep playing surface — perfectly sized for an evening of cards or conversation — and folds away neatly to serve as a refined console or side table against a wall. The plain mahogany apron is clean and unadorned, allowing the richness of the wood itself to provide all the decoration, a hallmark of the best Philadelphia Federal work. The moulded tapered legs are masterfully executed, displaying the crisp, confident craftsmanship that distinguishes Philadelphia pieces from their New England and New York counterparts.
The table retains an early historic old surface — an increasingly rare and highly desirable quality among serious collectors of American antiques, as it speaks to the piece's unaltered history and authenticity over more than two centuries. Honest wear to the front legs and a slightly loose front right leg are entirely consistent with its age and use, and the latter is a minor and straightforward conservation matter.
An exceptional opportunity to acquire a piece of genuine Philadelphia Federal history, ideal for a period interior or a serious collection of American furniture.
Dimensions: 35.5"W × 17.5"D (closed) × 35"D (open) × 29"H
Material: Mahogany
Style: Hepplewhite Demilune Flip-Top Game Table, Moulded Tapered Legs
Origin: Philadelphia, Circa 1790s
Condition: Early historic old surface; wear to front legs and front right leg slightly loose, consistent with age and use See less