Card Table

The large number of surviving card tables from the Federal period indicates the popularity of this furniture item during the Otises’ time. Card tables were often made in pairs and were created in several styles including square, circular, tripod, and pedestal tables. When not in use card tables often served as pier or side tables.

The prototype for this graceful card table in the Grecian Style is found in English Regency furniture. The curves of the saber legs are enhanced with thin brass inlay while the outline of the lyre is decorated with painted leaves. The front is embellished with an ormolu mount of acorns, a popular motif during the Federal and Empire periods. Boston cabinetmakers often substituted a solid lyre with wood or brass inlay for the open lyre with brass strings.

Thomas Seymour (1771-1848), attributed maker
John Ritto Penniman (1782-1841), gilder
Boston, 1810-1825
Rosewood, brass, ormulu
1976.105