A rare, perhaps unique, lyre clock--with alarm feature, made and signed by Joseph Dyer, working in Middlebury, VT, c.1825-30. The mahogany case, with round dial, flared center section with applied split columns, and pedimented base is in a rich old surface which appears to be original. Dyer was an apprentice of Lemuel Curtis in Concord, MA, then worked with John Sawin, with whom he patented the lyre clock, based on the Willard's movement design. Mahogany and pine, 51"overall ht.

A fine Queen Anne high chest with split drawer top, fan-carved center drawer above a triple-arcaded skirt. Graceful cabriole legs ending in platformed pad feet. Maple, with pine secondary wood; and retaining its original drops and 11 of its 14 original brasses. From a family in West Newbury, MA and probably made there, c.1760. Exceptional condition, with only some minor drawer lip and knee return repair. 73 1/4" H, top case 36 7/8" w, base 39 1/8", depth 19 3/4".

A very fine Hepplewhite mahogany card table with multiple, complex inlays. Matched crotch-grained mahogany panels surround an elongated satinwood oval, and both the leg plinths and facades are inlaid with satinwood panels- a rare feature. From the Moody family of Portland, ME. Probably Boston area, c.1795-1800. 36" x 17 1/2" x 29 1/2" ht.

With a deeply-coved cornice molding, fluted quarter columns with lamb's-tongue stops, deeply-carved shell in the skirt, and cabriole legs ending in well-articulated ball and claw feet--and all in strong tiger maple, this transitional high chest is a wonderful example of the country cabinetmaker's art. Exceptional structural condition-with only two drawer lip repairs and one old replaced knee return. Top case 36", lower case 39 1/2", ht. 70 1/2".

Made in NH or MA, c.1785, it is pictured in The Magazine Antiques, August 1964, and I purchased it from the family who acquired it at that time.

A Queen Anne chest

A rare, perhaps unique, Queen Anne chest with drawer on four short cabriole legs ending in pad feet. Small in size, with double-arch molding on the case, a shaped skirt, original brasses, and a great old salmon painted surface. There is an old label on the back which reads "A chest on legs with drawer, acquired 1926, origin, Hull, MA, dealer A. Berry, Junior." This chest first re-appeared in a sale in 1999, where it brought over fifty thousand dollars. Made of red and white pine, probably on the south shore of MA, c.1740. 35 1/2" case width, 16 1/2" deepth, 40 1/2" ht.

A Wethersfield, CT dressing table

A rare, probably unique, Queen Anne dressing table attributed to the Willard group of cabinetmakers from Wethersfield, and with probable descent in the Buck family. This piece is particularly noteworthy for its diminutive size, the use of three-rather than two banks of drawers, and its classic Wethersfield skirt. Made of cherry, with pine secondary wood, it retains a fine old finish and all but one of its original brasses. It is pictured and fully described on p.82 of Connecticut Valley Furniture, by Kugelman and Lionetti. Case width 29 1/2", 17 3/4" deep, 30 1/2" ht.; width of top 34".

A Queen Anne chest

An exceptional Queen Anne period two drawer blanket chest with false drawers cut from the solid, shaped base with dovetailed skirt and center drop. The case made of strong tiger maple and retaining its original 'Spanish' brown paint. Very few examples in tiger maple are known. Great form and surface quality--and retains all but two of its original brasses. Pine secondary wood. CT. River Valley, c. 1750-60. 36 1/2" wide, 17 1/2" deep, 44 1/2" ht.

A very rare small tavern table with great scrubbed top and original red-painted base, 'inverted' turnings, and full feet. Made of cherry, with a pine top, c.1710. The base is 12" x 18", the top 16" x 28", ht.23". I have owned only a handful of tables with this type of turning orientation. Found in south-central MA, near the RI border and probably made there.

A Sheraton server

An exceptional Sheraton server or card table with carved, paneled, and inlaid decorative details--in remarkable original condition and with the finest surface quality. The case and legs are cherry, the edge of the top is inset with a strip of mahogany, the frame is crossbanded with mahogany and paneled with tiger maple, and the drawer front is centered by a bird's-eye maple paterae set within a rectangular mahogany panel. The front legs at the case are punch-decorated and carved with vines. Below the turned and reeded section of each leg is a fully-carved 'cuff' above the bulbous foot. The plinths of the rear legs are incised with angled carving. The table retains it rare original recumbant lion brasses. Found in Manchester, VT, and probably made in that area, c.1810.

A Pennsylvania slat back chair

An exceptional five stat side chair, with the finest proportions, toolwork, and choice of woods. Maple and tiger maple in original surface and condition-and with an old, perhaps original, seat. Philadelphia area, c.1740-60. 45 1/2" ht.

A 17th Century American tape loom

A rare, probably unique, tape loom-- over three hundred years old-- in remarkable 'as found' condition. The wear to the legs attests to its long and continuous use. Found in the attic of the Appleton family farm in Ipswich, MA nearly 25 years ago ( the Appleton's have been in Ipswich since the mid-17th century), there is only one other piece of comparable age and style--the stand for a baptismal bowl from the Gerrish family of Salem used in the First Church of Salem. That stand was given to the Essex Institute in 1873, where it remains today.

Made of maple and ash, in original mustard paint under centuries of use and dirt. One leg was broken out at the post centuries ago and is slightly shorter than the other two. Essex County, MA, c.1690, 41 1/4" ht, 11 1/2" wide.

The Sanborn family Queen Anne chest

Attributed to Samuel Dunlap

A rare and fine Queen Anne chest with bold cornice molding, five graduated drawers, classic Dunlap 'egg and dart' base molding, double-scrolled knee returns and short cabriole legs. This chest was purchased directly from the Sanborn family of Boscawen and Salisbury, NH. who were direct descendents of Samuel Dunlap (line of descent provided). Also enclosed is the gold brooch of Abigail Cogeswell Sanborn, who was born in 1826 in Boscawen and married in 1850.

This chest is identical to the example in the Garvin collection at Yale which is signed 'Samuel Dunlap', and pictured in American Case Furniture, by Gerald Ward on p.65 and discussed on pp. 65 & 66. Note the three wooden pins securing the front molding, the comparative size of the backboards, and the light appearance of the top molding at the back-indicating the use of basswood as a molding. That chest has replaced brasses, but indications of small ovals--such as those on this chest-- which are original on the piece shown here.

Maple, with basswood moldings and knee returns, pine secondary wood in drawers and case. 37 1/2" wide, 18" deep, 49 1/2" ht.

A rare 'grandmother' clock

A rare 'grandmother' or 'dwarf' clock made by Jonathan Winslow, working in central MA from about 1795 to 1825. His clocks were first published in The Magazine Antiques, March, 1938. The pine case, probably made by Winslow, is painted and elaborately stenciled.

There are only a half dozen of his clocks in this size known, and this example was in the collection of Nina Fletcher Little. It is pictured and discussed in "Little by Little" on page 22. Several of Winslow's clocks are pictured and described in much detail on pages 331-337 in "American Wooden Movement Tall Clocks"by Philip Morris. Worcester, MA area, c.1820-25. Ht. 48", width 10 3/4", 7" deep.

A Newport high chest

A rare and fine Queen Anne high chest in richly figured tiger maple, with chestnut and poplar secondary woods, and retaining its original brasses. Perfectly proportioned- with extremely fine craftsmanship, the skirt and removable cabriole legs are of the highest quality. This chest has been in a collection in the Concord, NH area since the 1950's. Attributed to Christopher Townsend, Newport, RI, c.1750. Top case 36", lower case 37 1/2", ht. 68 3/4".

See p. 40, "Master Craftsmen of Newport" by Michael Moses, "The John Brown Loan Catalogue", #57, and the frontipiece of the Magazine Antiques, May 1961, for an identical example in mahogany inscribed

"Christopher Townsend Made 1748".

A 'scallop-topped' dressing table

A very rare Queen Anne dressing table with a dramatically -shaped 'scalloped' top, fan-carved center drawer, triple-arcaded and 'blocked' skirt, and with exceptionally fine cabriole legs. One of the rarest and sought after forms in 18th century American furniture. The most comprehensive article about this furniture is by Michael Brown, in The Magazine Antiques, May 1980. I sold this piece in 1990 and have just re-purchased it.

Cherry, with pine secondary wood, in a fine rich old surface. Attributed to the Munn family of cabinetmakers, Deerfield, MA, c.1780-85. Case width 31 1/2", ht. 31 1/2". Top width 36 1/2".

This Federal tall clock, with a fully veneered and inlaid case, exhibits the finest proportion, design, and surface treatment of any clock of its type--and is further enhanced by its signed and numbered dial and a great old 'as descended' surface. It was part of the furnishings of the Campbell-Whittlesey house of Rochester, NH, property of the Landmark Society of New York and on the National Register of Historic Places(1970).

Made of mahogany, with pine secondary wood, and veneered with mahogany. The multple inlays are maple or boxwood. Maximum height 96", width of case 19 1/2", 10" deep. The eight day brass works with moon phase dial were made and signed by Lord & Goddard, working in partnership in Rutland, VT from 1797-1805. There are perhaps a dozen examples known--and this case has no equal.

The ends of the crest are inlaid with segmented maple or boxwood, the sides of the case above the door are inlaid with rope-twist, there is a full floral oval inlay centered on the crest above the line-inlaid door, and there are fluted pilasters balancing the hood both front and back. The central section of the case above the door is edged with rope twist inlay, and inset with a horizontal veneer panel with maple quarter fans at its corners. The door is fully veneered with an elongated oval panel running nearly top to bottom--and with an full oval paterae of maple centering that. The sides of the case have quarter columns. The pattern of ovals within ovals is repeated in the lower section of the case--but here there are two sets of each, side by side, surrounded with book-matched mahogany veneer panels. The case rests on a molded applied bracket base with flaring French feet.

The ends of the crest are inlaid with segmented maple or boxwood, the sides of the case above the door are inlaid with rope-twist, there is a full floral oval inlay centered on the crest above the line-inlaid door, and there are fluted pilasters balancing the hood both front and back. The central section of the case above the door is edged with rope twist inlay, and inset with a horizontal veneer panel with maple quarter fans at its corners. The door is fully veneered with an elongated oval panel running nearly top to bottom--and with an full oval paterae of maple centering that. The sides of the case have quarter columns. The pattern of ovals within ovals is repeated in the lower section of the case--but here there are two sets of each, side by side, surrounded with book-matched mahogany veneer panels. The case rests on a molded applied bracket base with flaring French feet.

The sophistication of design and surface treatment seen here is evidence of a master cabinetmaker working with skilled clockmakers to provide " the best the country affords" as Kenneth Zorgy's book on Vermont furniture is titled.

A rare William and Mary two drawer blanket chest with four false drawers, double-arch molding on case, and with great turned feet. Hard pine, with oak framing and maple feet. In a dark stain matching the original, with only a small repair to the applied molding. Probably CT origin, c.1725-40. Case width 37", ht. 45 1/2". The feet are 8" tall.

An exceptionally rare American gate-legged table with ball-turned base. Maple, with oak frame. The original drawer, which retains its original knob, has an oak front and back and pine sides. The early 19th century blue/green color of the base, while not original, has great wear and presence. The top is an early to mid-19th century replacement and was on the table at the time the blue paint was added. Probably south shore MA origin, c.1670-1690. Top 43 3/4" x 43 1/2", 27 1/2" ht. Purchased from Roger Bacon in the 1960's and in two collections since that time.

A rare Hudson Valley shoe-foot hutch table with oval top, shaped cleats, pierced sides, and intricately cut out skirt and central stretcher. Cherry throughout in great old color. A table by the same maker, in the collection of Winterthur, is shown on p. 167 in Rememberance of Patria. Ulster County, NY, 3rd quarter 18th century. Top 42" x 48", ht. 25".

An exceptionally rare American turned, or 'Carver' chair, c.1690. Maple and ash with boldly-turned finials, with two banks of turned spindles, ball-turnings on the back posts, and 'mushroom' handholds on front legs. A massive chair with 2 1/2" posts and 45 1/2" tall--in an old 19th century red stain with no repair or restoration. While it lacks the traditional turned elements of North Shore, MA chairs, and the double bank of spindles is associated more often with South Shore MA examples, this chair descended in a family from Lowell,MA until the late 1980's. It is the only turned armchair that I have owned in a least a decade.

A very rare 17th century document box made entirely of red oak. It retains it's original swirled and dauded painted surface and original cotter pin hinges. The top has a molded front edge, scribed decoration, and is thumb-gouged at the edge of the sides. The entire front is scribed with original cross-hatching and also has a thumb-gouged edge. There is a small lidded oak till inside the box. The base molding is missing--and based on oxidation, has been missing for centuries. Coastal MA or CT, last quarter of the 17th century. 15 1/2" x 20 1/2" x 8" ht.

A Queen Anne sidechair with molded back, framed slip seat, shaped front rail, boldly-turnrd front stretcher, and block and turned legs. Maple, in old black paint. No repair or restoration. Portsmouth area, c.1730-45. 42" ht., 17" seat ht.

A country bookcase in old grained paint over original green/gray. Adjustable shelves with unusual chamfered ends and brackets. Pine throughout- made with square nails and with no circular saw marks on any board--and retaining all original wooden parts ( the locks and knobs are old replacements). The glass appears to be original. Found in Maine and probably made there c.1840. 50" maximum width, 84" ht., 15" maximum depth.

One of the rarest forms of 17th century American furniture( probably fewer than a half dozen have survived), this stretcher table has survived in remarkablely original condition--retaining its original top, drawer, and feet--and is in an old 19th century red paint. Made of maple and pine, probably in Boston, c.1670-90, it is probably the only example with a scrolled front rail. Repairs to the table were done in the 19th century, using square nails, and before the paint was applied. The back edge of the top, the molded breadboard ends, and the runners for the side-hung drawer are the only changes to a piece nearly 350 years old.

This table was part of the Behrend Collection( many pieces in Nutting's Furniture Treasury)and was donated to The Art Institute of Chicago in 1946. De-accessioned in the 1980's, the table has been in one collection since then.

A very fine Windsor continuous-arm chair made of maple and ash. Rhode Island, last quarter 18th century. The turnings on the arm supports and legs are as good as any of the type, and the worn surface is the finest of any Windsor chair that I have owned. The tonality of the green-painted surface is remarkable-to say the least! There is an old break at the end of one arm.

A very fine mahogany reverse serpentine Chippendale chest with inlaid edge top. While the chest itself is compact( 35 1/2"), the feet are large and boldly-proportioned--and particularly well-carved. Made with beautifully-grained wood, and retaining its original brasses and a rich old surface. The underside and back of the chest are as 'clean' as the rest of the chest--it has survived in remarkable condition. North Shore, MA. c.1780-85. 33 3/4" ht.

An unusual Queen Anne chest on frame with deeply-molded cornice, six rows of drawers-with double rows at top and bottom. The frame has a fine triple-arcaded skirt and well-shaped cabriole legs. Birch and pine, all in an old brown paint with nearly all of its original brasses. See condition report for repairs. New Hampshire origin, c.1785-1800. 39" case, 69 1/2" ht.

An exceptional pair of 'left and right' Chippendale andirons with twisted flame finials above urn-shaped tops, long columnar shafts, molded, square plinth bases--all above cabriole legs with spurred knees and ending in oversized ball and claw feet. The dogs are brass-encased, and the log stops are cast to follow the fronts. The tallest--32 1/2"-- and finest andirons from this period that I have seen. In bell metal, probably Boston, c.1785.

The Rogers Family William and Mary high chest

Where to begin? A reverse-serpentined Chippendale desk made of the finest mahogany--with oversized ball and claw feet, perfectly-carved scallop shell center drop, oversized original brasses, blocked and shell-carved interior with three fans, carved flame-topped document drawers, and rare mirrored prospect door. 'As descended' condition, with original surface and great presence. North Shore, MA, probably Salem, c.1775. The finest of its type that I have owned in over 40 years. 41 3/4" width, 44" ht.

A very rare country Queen Anne desk with full width drawer, shaped skirt, and exceptionally well-carved cabriole legs ending in pad feet. The interior contains five full drawers and five drawers hidden behind scalloped valances. Made of maple and birch, with pine and poplar secondary woods, probably in eastern CT or RI, 1760-75. 37" case width, 29 1/4" writing ht.

Just re-acquired from the collector to whom I had sold it in 1990. It is the only one piece desk with full-length cabriole legs that I have seen.

An exceptionally rare William and Mary tavern table from Rhode Island, or possibly the south shore of MA, c,1720-35. Maple, with a scrubbed pine top. Great turnings with much of the feet remaining. In old red paint over an original gray/blue. The front edge of the top was restored in the early 19th century. From the Beane family of Duxbury and Kingston, MA. I have seen perhaps only two other tables with turnings of this type and quality in nearly 40 years--neither had the old surface or feet of this example. Top 25 1/4" x 42 3/4", 26" ht.

A rare, if not unique, small Hepplewhite server with a concave front, linen and silverware drawers, and a pull-out serving board. Made of cherry, with mahogany-veneered drawer fronts and inlaid mahogany panels on the legs- all in a fine old surface. The secondary wood is poplar and the quality of the dovetailing is first rate. C. 1810-15. This is the smallest server that I have seen and the only one with a concave front.

Clearly a 'special order', this server is only 35 3/4" wide. The top is offset to the rear so that it could be flush with a wall and still accomodate a baseboard. Reportedly from the Cloud Hills Victorian Museum in RI, where it had been since the 1870's . Probably New York origin. Ht. 35 3/4".

A terrific country Chippendale desk made of richly-figured tiger maple, with a fan-carved pine interior retaining its original brown stain. Oversized original brasses, the best surface, and no repair or restoration. Descended in the Cook family of southeastern MA, and probably made there, c.1785. 36 1/4" wide, 29 1/2" writing ht.

A fine and rare country Queen Anne chest on frame with bold cornice molding, drawers in both the top and frame, triple-arcaded skirt over slender cabriole legs ending in pad feet. In perfect structural condition-retaining its original brasses, finial drops, and an old brown paint/stain under a later coat of shellac or varnish. Made of maple, with chestnut secondary wood. South Shore, MA origin, c.1750-70. Top case 35 1/2", ht. 59".

An exceptional country Queen Anne tea table with elaborately-shaped tilting top, urn-carved shaft, and ridged cabriole legs ending in pad feet. Cherry throughout, in original red paint. CT River Valley, c.1790-1800. Note construction of top: the cabinet maker joined three 11" cherry boards with shaped cleats at their ends, then shaped the boards to complete the design. A terrific country table with great surface quality.

A rural example of a classic Chippendale sidechair. Made of birch, then grain-painted to simulate rosewood, with slightly-elongated carved ears at the ends of the serpentined crest rail, shallow notched carving to the pierced splat, a 'balloon' seat with slightly flattened corners, deeply-pierced knee returns, fully-developed shell-carved knees with fleur-de-lis below the shells, and deeply-webbed ball and claw feet- which project almost horizontally from the ankles. Clearly made by a skilled craftsman, but embellished with his own sense of aesthetics. North or South Shore of MA, c.1770-80. The slip seat and one knee return have been restored. Ht. 37", seat ht. 17".

A very fine Sheraton chest with 'cookie-cornered' top and turned and reeded legs. Mahogany, with mahogany veneered top and sides; the drawers are veneered with a swirled grain mahogany, crossbanded with flame birch and with flame birch escutheons. There is intricate inlay around the edge of the top and at the base of the case. Particularly noteworthy is the overall feeling of delicacy created by the diameter of the turned legs and the high lift to the skirt. From a house in North Hampton, NH, but probably Boston area, c.1790-1800. Case 40 1/2", 41" ht.

As fine a 'pair' of Hepplewhite card tables as I have seen. Beautifully-proportioned and designed, skillfully-made, and with the best paneled and curly-satinwood inlaid facade. These tables were purchased together in the 1960's and have been in the same New Hampshire collection since that time. Boston, or perhaps Salem, c.1790. There are subtle differences in the tables, but the veneers used and the templates for the tops are identical, as are the screw pockets and unusual blocking patterns used in their construction. Clearly they originated in the same shop at the same time. A rare opportunity.

The Benedict family joined chest, south-central Connecticut, c.1690-1710. Oak, with pine and poplar secondary woods--and in original structural condition, retaining its first coat of thin salmon paint with black-painted incised moldings. Found in a Benedict shed in Ridgefield, CT in 1972 and held in two collections since that time. A rare opportunity to acquire a first period chest with undisturbed original surface. Case 51 1/2", ht. 32".

A classic transitional (William and Mary/Queen Anne) sidechair. With an exceptionally well-shaped and carved crest rail, slender splat, molded back, sharply-defined block and vase turned legs and tall spanish feet, this is a 'best' of the form. In original Spanish brown paint, with no repair or restoration. Maple and ash, North Shore, MA, c.1740-50. From a collection formed in the 1950's in Connecticut. 41 1/2" ht., 17 1/2" seat ht.

A very fine country Queen Anne chest on frame with deep crown molding, split top drawer, deeply scrolled skirt, and with turned legs ending in pad feet. Made of densely-grained maple-with a rich old surface, and retaining its original brasses. C. 1750-70. Small in scale, with great surface quality, this chest on frame was purchased directly from family descendents in central MA, and had come down through the family from the New Bedford, MA area. There is some old restoration to the top left drawer. 34" case, 60 3/4" ht.

A country Queen Anne armchair with matching sidechair: the armchair with molded, scrolled and carved arms. Each chair is cherry in original stained surface with peaked crest rails, unusual faceted block and vase-turned legs, and sharply-carved Spanish feet. Superb original condition. I have seen three other sidechairs, probably from the same set, but none since the late 1980's. CT origin, c.1760. Armchair 41" ht, sidechair 40" ht.

A very rare pair of Chippendale andirons with double-spurred cabriole legs ending in well-defined ball and claw feet, square plinths with scrolled bases under boldly-turned double ball tops. The edges of the bands on the ball are embellished with raised balls, and there are three bands of engraving on the balls as well. The squared plinths are notched on the edges and engraved on three sides with a family crest. New York or Philadelphia, c. 1790. 21" ht, 20" deep.

A fine and rare 'crook'd back' chair with scrolled and arched crest. Made of maple, with oak secondary in Boston, c.1720-35. This example is in near perfect original condition, with particularly fine turnings, and retains its original red paint under a later varnish. 441/2" ht, 17 1/2" seat ht.

A fine William and Mary blanket chest in great old red/brown paint-- retaining its original hinges, lock, etched brasses, and single arch molding. Amazing condition for a chest that is 275 years old! Case 41 1/2", ht. 31 1/2".

A fine shoe-foot hutch table in a rare small size. Two board oval top above open well with scalloped lower border, hourglass-shaped sides, stepped shoe feet. Pine, with oak feet; in an old red painted surface (later coat of shellac removed).
Minor repair to skirt, water damage to bottoms of feet. Probably Hudson River Valley, third quarter 18th century. Top 32" x 43 1/2", ht. 26".

A very rare Chippendale drop leaf breakfast table with a molded-edge top, shaped skirt, cabriole legs, and full ball and claw feet. Made of choice quality mahogany- all three pieces cut from the same board, with pine secondary wood, it retains all of its glue blocks-each secured witha rose-headed nail. Chippendale tables in this size are very rare, and this table is pictured in Sack, vol. II (1968), p. 561. North Shore or Portsmouth area, c. 1770-80. Top 34 1/4" x 33", ht.26 1/2".