Philadelphia, Ca 1770. probably Benjamin Randolph (1737-1791) with carving attributed to Richard Butts (active 1768–1778). A well-shaped scallop top carved from a single board of highly figured mahogany above an exceptionally carved column resting atop three well-balanced, carved legs terminating in masterfully formed claw feet. The form is considered a master work of American craftsmanship and it exhibits nearly every available detail offered by the maker at the time; the table relates closely to several examples attributed to Butts both in private and public collections. Arguably one of the most prolific cabinetmakers active in colonial America, Benjamin Randolph (1737-1791) was born in New Jersey and moved to Philadelphia to begin his career, first working as a joiner. Over the years Randolph's repertoire increased and his receipt books, now in the collection of the Winterthur Library, reference a variety of fine cabinets and chairs produced at his shop on Chestnut Street, including carved mahogany tea tables. Randolph's firm boasted many notable clients, chief among them Thomas Jefferson who stayed with Randolph when visiting Philadelphia in 1775 & 1776. Jefferson later wrote that it was Randolph who produced the table that Declaration of Independence was drafted on. As a form, tea tables offered the Colonist an opportunity to display not only their material possessions, but also the manners and deportment that came along with the rituals of tea drinking and proper tea tables provided that stage. By the turn of the 18th century European craftsman had begun producing tea tables, and the practice had spread to American cabinetmakers by the 1720s. This piece exhibits elements only seen in the top tier of craftsmanship in the colonies during this period. It is closely related to a table sold at Christies, New York, January 24, 2014, Lot 125. H27 3/4 W32 5/8 Note: Recently discovered by our team in a private Georgia residence, the table is a highly important example exhibiting all of its original elements.

Top is original to the table. After careful consideration and further examination it has been determined that the top was possibly originally a single board book-matched top and the joint across is not actually a repair but is in fact original to the table's construction. Top is continuous one-board figured mahogany with old repairs at edges and one repair likely to prevent a large shrinkage crack 11 1/4" long from continuing across the table. The crack appears to have been a result of screw placement in the original location of the battens, therefore the battens were turned slightly and re-secured. Birdcage is original. Early repairs to legs however legs and feet are original and not replaced, with some wear to knees. Has older refinish. Please email info@wootenandwooten.com for additional photographs.