Antique Federal Mahogany Mid Atlantic Dining Server Zinc Lined Bottle Drawer

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With our absolute highest compliments Bay Colony Antiques proudly offers one of the finest dining room servers which we have … Read more With our absolute highest compliments Bay Colony Antiques proudly offers one of the finest dining room servers which we have ever encountered. This server is an intriguing example of coastal Mid- Atlantic design and likely dates close to circa 1810 - 1820. Just as England was emerging from the Georgian era into the Regency and William IV design periods, and the new Republic of France introduced the French Empire design movement, American craftsmanship began to reinterpret existing Federal design and created the American Classical period which is also regarded as the second part of the American Federal period. The dining server we now respectfully offer is an heirloom from that early transitional period and worthy of intensive study in the broader history of American design. We simply can not overstate our excitement which began when the opportunity first arose to own this magnificent server nor how privileged we feel to represent such a marvelous American treasure.

The dining server consists of two pedestal ends which are connected by a single drawer in the center. The center drawer intentionally sits lower than either of the pedestal ends as the top surface is intended for serving purposes. We can envision a silver plater with water pitchers and drinking vessels or a full tea service sitting atop the server when a large party was being hosted in the original home this piece was made for. The left side of the server features upper and lower cabinet doors and the center drawer is felt lined for an entire silver flatware collection. The right side of the server features a partitioned zinc lined bottle drawer that can house four tall bottles of wine as well as a lower cabinet section. The zinc lining is an incredibly rare surviving feature from two centuries past which is applied over the wooden drawer interior so that ice may chill the drinks inside without fear of water damaging the woodwork beneath.

The entire server is constructed from a brilliant selection of mahogany lumber and finished in a beautiful red/brown mahogany color that illuminates when exposed to even moderate daylight. The cabinet doors and drawer feature boldly figured crotched mahogany along with exquisite brass lion head pulls which were casted in exceptional detail. The center section is shaped with magnificent ovolo formed ends and has a finely molded edge which contributed to the longevity and sophisticated design of the server. We do note an area of repair on the center right side which really is of no consequence. The server features four carved and stylized pilaster columns with exaggerated curvature that flank each of the lower cabinet doors. The inside and back of the server reveal well oxidized secondary wood that has aged particularly well over the course of centuries. The server still retains brass locks which were fitted into the drawer and cabinet doors.

The server measures 60" wide x 19 1/2" deep x 41 1/4" tall with the center section measuring 35 1/4" tall. The central space measures 33 1/2" wide x 29 1/2" tall underneath the drawer. The upper left compartment measures 11" wide x 14 1/2" deep x 12 1/4" tall. See less