Chippendale Carved Pie Crust Tea Table

Carving attributed to Nicholas Bernard, Philadelphia
Ca. 1750-1758
Mahogany
Condition: Fine condition, minor repairs, replaced ball casters.
Provenance: John Walton

The carved pie crust edge tilt-top is supported by a bird-cage block above a turned shaft with a suppressed ball supported by cabriole legs with carved knees ending on carved ball and claw feet.

This carved tea table is among a fairly identifiable group known to have been produced in Philadelphia during the mid-18thc. Although research that has been recorded attributing the carving to Nicholas Bernard and possibly later in conjunction with Martin Jugiez, is not conclusive it is known that Bernard and Jugiez advertised together by 1763. Refer to the articles entitled, Table Tale, published by The Chipstone Foundation, 2004 by Alan Miller and Luke Beckerdite.

The design and quality of the carving seen in this example relates to a large number of tables known by this cabinetmaker.