Dressing Table

CultureAmerican
Titles
  • Dressing Table
Datec. 1780–1800
Made inLancaster, Pennsylvania, United States
MediumCherrywood
Dimensions29 1/2 × 37 1/2 × 23 in. (74.9 × 95.3 × 58.4 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, museum purchase funded by the Theta Charity Antiques Show
Object numberB.2015.17
Current Location
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
Folk Art Room
On view

Explore Further

Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
DescriptionThis dressing table exemplifies the work of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, cabinetmakers near the end of the 1700s. Although closely related in its overall form and outlines to objects produced in Philadelphia, this table has a more massive appearance and features several important characteristics of the Lancaster school. Among these are the vigorously undulating skirt, areas densely carved from the solid with tightly curled foliage, and a stipple-punched background. Guilloche-carved quarter columns add another refinement.
ProvenancePrivate collection, Long Island, New York; consigned to [Christie's, New York, Important American Furniture, Silver and Folk Art, January 18–19, 2002, sale 1003, lot 410]; purchased by [Philip H. Bradley Co., Antiques, Downingtown, Pennsylvania]; purchased by MFAH, 2015.
Exhibition History"Theta Charity Antiques Show," George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, November 14–19, 2018.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
[no inscriptions]
[no marks]

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

Bureau Table
Thomas Spencer
c. 1780–1785
Mahogany; mahogany, eastern white pine, chestnut, soft maple, and yellow poplar
B.92.6
Desk and Bookcase
Edmund Townsend
c. 1765–1785
Mahogany; eastern white pine; chestnut; yellow poplar, and cedar
B.99.24
Desk (one of a pair)
c. 1720
Hardwood
94.1148.1
Desk (one of a pair)
c. 1720
Hardwood
94.1148.2
Desk
Charles Rohlfs
1883
Oak, iron, paint, and burlap
90.252
Breakfront Bookcase
c. 1825
Mahogany
96.1128
Commode
Vile & Cobb
c. 1762
Mahogany; various secondary woods, with ormolu
94.892
Corner Cabinet
Henry Lindley Fry
1870–1880
Oak and pine
2002.3547
Bureau Cabinet
c. 1750
Parcel gilt, mahogany
96.1588
Dressing Box
Thomas Natt
c. 1825–1835
Mahogany; eastern white pine, holly, yellow-poplar, brass, and mirror glass
B.94.8
Desk
Sam Maloof
1975
Walnut
2010.2087.A-.K
Chest of Drawers
Gillows, Lancaster
c. 1880–1900
Walnut, various secondary woods, and marble
94.1060