Physical Description:

The table above stands about 2ft off the ground when the table top is parallel with the floor. The table top is hinged allowing it to be turned on it side when is not being used to hold various objects. The table in its entirety has minimal scratches/ chips. The base of the table has been constructed out 5 separate pieces of mahogany wood. The central piece is an urn-like base that appears to have been turned on a lathe with a pineapple carved into the center of it. This base is connected to three arched, tapered legs. Each leg consists of acanthus leaf carvings that transition into the paw of an animal (likely the paw of a lion). Attached to the center base and legs is a smaller table top, likely to function as a seat. The table top is an ovular shape with pinched corners that it approximately 2ft x 1.5ft. Beneath the tabletop is a makers mark inscribed “Charles Warner, Cabinet Maker, Poughkeepsie.” This type of table (hinged table top with smaller attached smaller seat) is referred to as a tilt-top table. This table was constructed approximately 1800-1820.

Furniture being designed during this time (1805-1830) which overlaps with the same time of Charles Warners life was referred to as American Empire style furniture. Influenced by neoclassical and french empire during the reign of Napoleon, this style uses decorative motifs including rope twist carvings, animal paw feet, anthemion leafs, stars, eagles with spread wings, etc. It was common during this era design to use oak, mahogany, and other dark woods for building furniture.

Provenance:

Maker Bio/Historical Narritive:

Charles Warner worked as a cabinet maker in Poughkeepsie in 1820. It appears that Charles Warner was born and raised in poughkeepsie, dying in 1834. He was the son of Thomas Warner who purchased a lot in Poughkeepsie “beginning at the northeast corner of Myndert Van Kleek’s garden fence along the new street” 1785. Warner was not only a cabinet maker but also, a businessman. He owned a considerable number of stock shares, including stock in the Poughkeepsie Whaling Company, the Farmers and Manufacturers Bank, the Eastern Market, the Poughkeepsie Steam Boat Company, and the Dutchess Whaling Company. Financial records indicate that Charles Warner was a successful cabinetmaker and businessman, with considerable financial resources for the period.