An Excellent Federal Mahogany and Inlaid Games Table Attributed to John & Thomas Seymour Boston, Massachusetts, circa 1810

This nicely proportioned games table has a wonderful pattern inlay and abundant use of exotic she-oak veneers. The form, specific construction details and quality of materials support a strong attribution to the Seymour cabinet shop. Excellent games tables like this with bold lunette inlay are among the most highly prized examples by collectors.
The “D” shaped top, which is constructed of dense mahogany, has serpentine sides and blocked corners. The fly-leaf has a distinctive lunette-inlaid front edge. This inlay pattern was very popular with the Seymours and is one of the most apparent hallmarks of Seymour furniture. The top rests on a conforming apron that has a central rectangular frieze of satinwood framing a figured oval mahogany panel. Aside from this frieze, the entire apron is veneered with “she-oak” or more correctly casuarina. This rare wood was commonly used by the Seymours, but usually in more meager applications such as in cross-banding or small infields for panels.
Casuarina veneers were attained from conifers imported from Southeast Asia and offered as an opulent feature. The extravagant use of it as a veneer over the entire apron is unprecedented in any Seymour games tables and it must be concluded that this table was produced for an affluent client. The lower edge of the apron has line inlay around rosewood cross banding. The table is supported on four turned and tapered legs with stacked rings above reeded shafts on ring and vase feet. The construction of the table is consistent with other documented Seymour pieces, which include pocket screws, a back rail with block spacers and a chamfered glue block joining the fly leg.

Dimensions: Height 28 ⅞”; Width 36”; Depth 18”