The Francis-Fisher-Coxe Chippendale carved mahogany card table carving attributed to the 'garvan carver' philadelphia, pennsylvania, circa 1760 The rectangular top with conforming hinged leaf opening

The Francis-Fisher-Coxe Chippendale carved mahogany card table carving attributed to the 'garvan carver' philadelphia, pennsylvania, circa 1760 The rectangular top with conforming hinged leaf opening to a lined playing surface with rectangular inset candle stick recesses and oval counter recesses above a shaped skirt carved with acanthus leaves centering a cabochon pendant, the corners carved the cross-hatching and 'c'-scrolls continuing to acanthus leaf-carved cabriole legs ending in ball and claw feet; the swing rail reveals a hidden drawer. H: 29 1/4 in. W: 32 in. D: 15 1/2 in. PROVENANCE: PROVENANCE: The table was probably made for merchant Tench Francis, Jr. (1730-1800) and Anne Willing (1733-1812), daughter of Philadelphia mayor Charles Willing and Anne Shippen, at the time of their marriage at Christ Church in 1762. Tench Francis, Jr., a successful businessman and patriot contributed to the Revolutionary cause from his personal wealth. As a result of his actions, Francis was appointed First Cashier of the Bank of North America, and later Purveyor of Public Supplies. In the later position he unified Navy pursers which lead to the creation of the U.S. Navy Supply Corps. The table descended to their daughter Elizabeth Powel Francis (1771-1856), who married Joshua Fisher (1775-1806) son of Sarah Logan and Thomas Fisher; To their only child Joshua Francis Fisher (1807-1873) and his wife Eliza Izard Middleton (1815-1890) of Middleton Place plantation, Charleston, South Carolina, granddaughter of Arthur Middleton, Signer of the Declaration of Independence; To their daughter Maria Middleton Fisher (1847-1933) and her husband Charles Brinton Coxe (1833-1892), of Philadelphia; and thence by descent to present owner. NOTE: The ornamentation of this card table has been attributed to the as yet unidentified master Philadelphia craftsman, known as the 'Garvan Carver'. This craftsman was first identified as the carver on a high chest of drawers in the Mabel Brady Garvan Collection at Yale University Art Gallery. His work is distinguished by graceful, fluid naturalistic forms: sinuous leaves, shells, vines and flower heads. The carving is especially distinctive at the leaf ends which twist and turn back on themselves; depth and shading is created by groupings of straight cuts. The apron of this table exhibits such leaves. The sinuous lines of the cabriole legs are accentuated with scrolls and elongated acanthus leaves ending in powerfully carved claw and ball feet. For two related card tables see Furniture Treasury, Wallace Nutting (1928) fig.1022 and Sotheby's Important American Furniture, New York, February 2, 1991, . ,000-300,000 Descriptions provided in both printed and on-line catalogue formats do not include condition reports. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Interested bidders are strongly encouraged to request a condition report on any lots upon which they intend to bid, prior to placing a bid. All transactions are governed by Freeman''s Conditions of Sale.