Figured Cherry and Tambour-Door Sideboard
1800-1810, oak, cherry, ash, poplar and other mixed secondary woods, the serpentine "cupid's bow" façade set with four dovetailed drawers with period eagle-decorated brass pulls, lower drawer flanked by two serpentine tambour-door cabinets further flanked by two inlaid cabinet doors, highly figured flame cherry veneers, tapered square legs inlaid with figured walnut panels outlined in line inlay, 40-1/2 x 70-1/2 x 23-1/2 in. good condition overall, one 4 in. section of tambour door replaced, brass possibly original (no plugged holes, posts somewhat loose in holes), front legs with evidence of small braces at back (now removed) with some later glue, scattered patches and repairs to veneers especially at one end panel with other cracks and checking evident and with some areas of color retouch, scattered later screws and nailing especially to bottom board and underside of top, backboard with several unexplained holes (single board with good oxidation and appears to be all original material), other scattered typical cracks, minor repairs and surface flaws, feet probably reduced approximately 1 in.. Notes: There are several known examples of Kentucky furniture that relate to this remarkable sideboard. A card table of related "cupid's bow" design, attributed to Porter Clay (1779-1849), is illustrated in Lacer and Howard, [Collecting Kentucky 1790-1860], p. 56. An additional tambour-door sideboard of different design is in a private collection. Another sideboard with inlaid walnut panels on the legs is in the collections of The Speed Art Museum, 2012.1.. Provenance: Private Collection
Condition
good condition overall, one 4 in. section of tambour door replaced, brass possibly original (no plugged holes, posts somewhat loose in holes), front legs with evidence of small braces at back (now removed) with some later glue, scattered patches and repairs to veneers especially at one end panel with other cracks and checking evident and with some areas of color retouch, scattered later screws and nailing especially to bottom board and underside of top, backboard with several unexplained holes (single board with good oxidation and appears to be all original material), other scattered typical cracks, minor repairs and surface flaws, feet probably reduced approximately 1 in.