Diplomatic Reception Rooms, U.S. Department of State

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Federal Figured Mahogany Card Table

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Object Details

Maker
John Shaw (Scottish, American, 1745-1829; active Annapolis ca. 1768-1816)
Date
1793
Geography
United States: Maryland: Annapolis
Culture
North American
Medium
wood; mahogany; yellow-poplar; eastern white pine; white oak
Dimensions
Overall: 29 1/4 in x 34 1/2 in x 17 1/4 in; 74.295 cm x 87.63 cm x 43.815 cm
Provenance
A New England antiques dealer; Weschler's Auction, Washington, D.C., December 7, 1986, Lot 1317; to the Fine Arts Committee through purchase
Inscriptions
Engraved paper label on the underside of the top, "JOHN SHAW/ CABINETMAKER,/ ANNAPOLIS. 1793" (date in ink)
Credit Line
Funds donated by Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Milburn
Collection
The Diplomatic Reception Rooms, U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C.
Accession Number
RR-1986.0055

Related Objects

Federal Figured Mahogany Card Table

Federal Figured Mahogany Card Table
Shaw, John
1790
wood; mahogany; walnut; white oak; yellow-poplar; southern yellow pine

Object Essay

The inscribed date on the label of this table shows that it was made three years later than the other Shaw table in the Collection (Acc. No. 80.30). Though similar overall, they have a number of minor differences, probably reflecting the variety of journeymen and apprentices known to have worked in Shaw’s shop at this period.1See Elder and Bartlett, 29, for descriptions of those working in Shaw’s shop, several of whom put their initials on his labels. The apron of this table is solid mahogany, lacking the distinctive three vertical panels of veneer, and the legs are more tapered. There are also some slight differences in the interior construction, although both tables have inset playing surfaces on the inside of the top. The baize on this example is missing; that on Acc. No. 80.30 is replaced.

Gregory R. Weidman

Excerpted from Clement E. Conger, et al. Treasures of State: Fine and Decorative Arts in the Diplomatic Reception Rooms of the U.S. Department of State. New York: H.N. Abrams, 1991.