The early nineteenth century witnessed the introduction of many specialized forms of furniture, some intended for use by ladies (see cat. no. F178). This small lady’s work table, an example of that genre, represents the New York school at its most sophisticated and most expensive, with its attention to detail, such as the canted corners with recessed panels and the reeded edge to the lift top. Unusual is the fact that the urn is uncarved and that there is no reeding below the leaf carving of the legs. The inside upper compartment is fitted out with, an adjustable writing surface and storage areas for writing materials. Behind the tambour door are two sliding shelves with mahogany veneered fronts.

Technical notes: Mahogany, mahogany veneer; yellow-poplar (interior top and sides, drawer components, drawer runners), eastern white pine (interior base), cherry (cross support over pedestal), brass. The casters are original.

Related examples: A very similar table at Winterthur varies in small details (Montgomery 1966b, no. 408): another is illustrated in the Antiquarian 16 (February 1931), p. 14; a related example, but with a four-column and platform lower section, as opposed to the central vase and four saber legs of the Bayou Bend table, was auctioned at Christie’s, New York, sale 8006, June 2, 1990, lot 204. For a similar satinwood example, see Cooper 1980, p. 263, no. 303.

Book excerpt: David B. Warren, Michael K. Brown, Elizabeth Ann Coleman, and Emily Ballew Neff. American Decorative Arts and Paintings in the Bayou Bend Collection. Houston: Princeton Univ. Press, 1998.