Early 19C American Sheraton Tilt top Table of neat proportions

Published by Nevan O Shaughnessy on December 4, 2023December 4, 2023

PRESENTING a GORGEOUS Early 19C American Sheraton Tilt top Table of very desirable neat proportions.

Made in America, possibly New York or New England, circa 1800.

Made of Walnut, cherrywood and satinwood.

The table is diamond in shape and the turned tripod base and feet appear to be made of walnut.

The feet have beautifully simple, pointed toe feet …. ‘classic’ examples of ‘period’ American side tables of this Era!

The square platform, attaching to the top to the base, has a brass catch/latch insert, with a ‘period’ brass button clasp on the underside of the table top, for the tilting mechanism.

The square table top, itself, appears to be mainly cherry wood for the central square section, which in turn is then encased in a walnut square border and edged with a beautifully patinated striped satinwood.

The central diamond on the table top is likewise a striped/burl satinwood of very high quality, edged with boxwood.

There is a visible crack on the top and it appears that at some stage in its history, someone turned the table top 90 degrees, so that the baton supports underneath would support the weakened section with the crack. We have no doubt, however, that the top is original to the base and not a ‘marriage’, as the line (as one can see in the photos) on the base of the top where the batons were previously located perfectly matches the existing batons.

The table is very ‘stable’ but the top (once locked in the down position) has a very slight lean towards the repaired cracked section. This is not significant and does not detract from the beauty and utility of this piece. We have, however, reflected these repairs, etc. in our pricing.

It is also obvious, that the table was ‘always’ diamond shaped.

It is the use of the cherry and walnut, coupled with the toe feet, that tells us, that this is ‘unmistakably’ an American Sheraton piece.

Sheraton is a late 18th-century neoclassical English furniture style, in vogue ca 1785 – 1820, that was coined by 19th century collectors and dealers to credit furniture designer Thomas Sheraton, born in Stockton-on-Tees, England in 1751 and whose books, “The Cabinet Dictionary” (1803) of engraved designs and the “Cabinet Maker’s & Upholsterer’s Drawing Book” (1791) of furniture patterns exemplify this style.

The Sheraton style was inspired by the Louis XVI style and features round tapered legs, fluting and most notably contrasting veneer inlays. Sheraton style furniture takes lightweight rectilinear forms, using satinwood, mahogany and tulipwood, sycamore and rosewood for inlaid decorations, though painted finishes and brass fittings are also to be found. Swags, husks, flutings, festoons, and rams’ heads are amongst the common motifs applied to pieces of this style.

Without pedantic archaeology, it brought the Neoclassical taste of architects like Robert Adam within reach of the middle class. In many respects Sheraton style corresponds with the contemporary Directoire style of France. The Sheraton style was the most reproduced style in the United States during the Federal period.

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheraton_style