Name/Title

Table, Pier

Description

Shallow bun feet support a serpentine base with a pair of scrolled legs in front terminating in carved lion's paw feet; an hourglass shaped panel at the rear has a carved Neo-Classical figure applied with screws. The carcass is a deep D-shaped box with rounded corners and a plain top. Possibly made as one of a pair.

Use

Pier tables were designed to occupy the space between windows, usually with a pier mirror above.

Furniture Details

Furniture Style

Neo-Classical

Made/Created

Time Period

19th Century

Dimensions

Height

32 in

Width

35 in

Depth

24 in

Materials

Material

Wood

Material Notes

Mahogany veneers and solids.

Location

Building

S-1 Second Floor landing

General Notes

Note Type

Historical Background and Overview

Note

An extremely rare three-legged table in French Empire style graces the stairway landing between the second and third floors of the clubhouse. The French Empire style is notable for it's heavy appearance and Roman imperial influence ("large and in charge") favored by the court of Napoleon Bonaparte. Popular in France from the late 18th to early 19th centuries, the style found favor in America around 1815 and is typical of designs selected by President James and First Lady Elizabeth Monroe in their selections for the newly-rebuilt White House, which are today the oldest pieces in the nation's executive mansion. Date of construction unknown

Note Type

Historical Note

Note

This American furniture design was based on the French Restauration style popular from about 1815-30 and is now commonly referred to as "Pillar and Scroll" (see supporting image). The heavy and plain forms relied on figured veneers for ornamentation such as crotch grain, flame grain, or book matched mahogany veneers.

Update Date

February 28, 2025