Sideboard
Datec. 1815 - 1825
MediumMahogany, mahogany and rosewood veneers, light wood inlay, white pine, poplar, composition, glass, ormolu, and brass
Dimensions56 5/16 × 78 × 26 1/2 inches (143 × 198.1 × 67.3 cm)
Credit LineBequest of Mary Telfair.
Object number1875.101
CopyrightThe images and text contained on this page are owned by Telfair Museums or used by the Museum with permission from the owners. Unauthorized reproduction, transmission or display of these materials is prohibited with the exception of items deemed “fair use” as defined by U.S. and international copyright laws.Label TextThe New York mahogany sideboard features a mirrored splashboard above a contoured top with side extensions and a conforming frieze above a large central cupboard flanked on each side by two cupboards centered by columns with brass capitals and bases, the whole is raised on gilded acanthus leaf and lion's paw feet.
The crotch-mahogany veneered panels with rosewood banding, double line of brass stringing throughout, mirrored splashboard, ormolu capitals and bases for the columnar supports, as well as the acanthus-leaf decoration over the hairy-paw feet, all show that no expense was spared by the cabinet-maker. In the original design of this sideboard, the maker left open the central section below the long drawer. There would have been a large mirror on the back wall of the opening. Because of the initial expense of the piece, and its practical use for storage in the dining room, the sideboard was adapted for use as needed by the Telfair family. At some point in the sideboard's history, the mirror was removed, a plain pine shelf installed, and cupboard doors added.
The sideboard descended through the Telfair family beginning with Thomas Telfair (1796-1818), to his sister, Sarah Telfair Haig (1792-1845) and to her sister, Mary Telfair (1791-1875).
