FINE AND RARE CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA-ATTRIBUTED FEDERAL INLAID MAHOGANY CARD TABLE, the solid, highly-figured folding top of blocked serpentine form over a conforming frame raised on slender ring-turned legs, decorative scheme of tripartite design featuring complex line inlay throughout, complemented by diamond reserves to stiles and elaborate "Prince of Wales" pictorial panel at center, period signature for "Jean Bayonne" to underside of top. White pine secondary with ash double-hinged fly rail. Old surface with rich color. Reserve. Circa 1810. 30 1/4" H, 36" x 17 3/4" top (closed). 
Literature: See Hurst and Prown - Southern Furniture, 1680-1830, pp. 259-261, fig. 77 for a similar example likely from the same shop.
See Rauschenberg and Bivins - The Furniture of Charleston, 1680-1820, Volume II: Neoclassical Furniture, pp. 664-665 for several illustrations of unique construction features observed on documented Charleston card tables that are also evident on the present table.
Catalogue Note: The Charleston, South Carolina attribution for the present card table is based on clear stylistic and technical parallels with documented examples of the form. With respect to the latter, these similarities include the distinctive lipped profile of the rear leg stiles on the inner facing where they meet the frame rail; the unusual configuration of the front legs, which are attached the frame with screws against a laminated substrate of shaped profile; and the consistent use of white pine secondary wood with ash fly rails. Stylistically, this group of known Charleston tables, along with several sideboards, all employ a similar design vocabulary that incorporates contrasting wood inlay, often including geometric or pictorial reserves; richly-veneered surfaces; and turned legs. All of which point to a possible Boston or Salem, Massachusetts source of influence. The present example stands out from the Charleston group, however, given its rare and complex blocked serpentine form, its possibly unrecorded "Prince of Wales" pictorial inlaid panel, and the tantalizing period signature to the underside of the top. Research is ongoing.
Shipping Note: IN-HOUSE SHIPPING IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THIS LOT. Please contact our local UPS store store6595@theupsstore.com for information on shipping or see our website for a list of third-party shippers https://www.jeffreysevans.com/buying/pick-up-and-delivery.

Very good overall condition with minor scattered wear, losses, and repairs to inlays and veneers. Top very slightly bowed, with very minor cracks and other imperfections. Minor losses to lipped profiles of rear legs at stiles.