Lot 217: Southern Inlaid Pembroke Table attrib. Charleston

Federal Inlaid Pembroke Table, attributed to Charleston, South Carolina, in an old, possibly original surface. Mahogany and mahogany veneers with cypress secondary. Rectangular, string inlaid top with two drop leaves that have quarter-round corners. Skirt with single, cockbeaded front drawer flanked by oval fan or pinwheel paterae on each side, over a rail with contrasting light and dark string inlay. Four square tapered string inlaid legs featuring inlaid bellflowers and beads, each leg with repeating inverted bellflower above an inlaid banded cuff. 29 3/4 in. H x 21 in. W (41 in. W with leaves extended) x 30 1/2 in. D. Circa 1800. Note: this table descended in the consignor’s family, which included the Henry Horlbeck family of Charleston, SC. The Horlbecks were noted contractors and architects of important Charleston buildings including the Old Exchange Building. In 1817 Henry (1771-1846) and John (1776-1837) Horlbeck purchased and moved to Boone Hall Plantation in what is today known as Mt. Pleasant, SC.

PROVENANCE: Private Middle Tennessee collection.

CONDITION: Two spots of old veneer loss, 1 in. and 2 in. wide, loss above drawer. Pull is an old replacement. Areas of missing string inlay to top edges up to 4 inches long. Some old stains to top and sewing bird scars to underside.  Underside of top with a contemporary wooden brace. Drawer supports later replacements. Older stops added to underside of leaves to compensate for warpage. Scuffs, abrasions, and minor losses throughout. Back of the drawer with cut nail construction. Old patination of the back side of the drawer and lack of saw marks on the beveled bottom does not indicate the drawer was cut down in length.