A Mahogany Neoclassical Center Table with Pineapple Base and Segmented Top, New York, Attributed to Thomas Astons, c.1820-30

A mahogany Neoclassical center-table with pineapple base and segmented top, New York, attributed to Thomas Astens, c.1820-30. This grand center table has an elaborate 16-sectioned mahogany top which is further enhanced with a cross-banded edge (see detail). This elaborate top is stylistically reinforced with a complementary apron, again, of matched crotch grained mahogany. The top on this profound table is balanced with a vigorously carved base composed of a pineapple supported column above four hairy paw feet with acanthus carving.

A related labeled table of Thomas Astens, 20 Beaver St., New York City, (Phyfe’s neighborhood) is illustrated in 19th Century America: Furniture and other Decorative Arts - The Metropolitan Museum of Art (see scan). The base appears identical with the exception of ours being of larger scale with segmented top as opposed to marble. The latter table is illustrated once again in Antiques Magazine, March 1935 (see scan).

(Click here to see this table en suite with a mahogany and satinwood center table by Astens.)