Brunk Auctions
Live Auction

Estate of Richard and Shirley Roberts, Virginia Beach, Virginia | October 29, 2026

Thu, Oct 29, 2026 10:30AM EDT
  2026-10-29 10:30:00 2026-10-29 10:30:00 America/New_York Brunk Auctions Brunk Auctions : Estate of Richard and Shirley Roberts, Virginia Beach, Virginia | October 29, 2026 https://live.brunkauctions.com/auctions/brunk/estate-of-richard-and-shirley-roberts-virginia-beach-virginia-october-29-2026-23916
Dick & Shirley Roberts assembled a world-class collection of American furniture, paintings, maps, early Catesby prints, silver and porcelain, working with top dealers including Israel Sack, Liverant & Son, Deanne Levison, Arader, Shrubsole and others. Major centers of furniture making are represented: Boston, Portsmouth, Newport, Connecticut, Philadelphia and Charleston, with paintings by Jane Peterson, JC Beckwith, Childe Hassam, Willard Metcalf & Edmund Tarbell, among others. Silver by John Ewan, John Carter, Robert Reading, extensive selection of Francis I pattern; and early Chinese export.
Brunk Auctions support@brunkauctions.com
Lot 522

Exceptional Rhode Island Attributed Chippendale Mahogany Tea Table

Estimate: $70,000 - $100,000
Starting Bid
$36,000

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $25
$100 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $200
$3,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$20,000 $2,000
$50,000 $5,000
$100,000 $10,000

Rhode Island or possibly Eastern Connecticut, circa 1765-1785, highly figured book-matched mahogany molded top, shaped skirts, on graceful cabriole legs with ball and claw feet, 28 x 36-5/8 x 22-1/4 in.

Provenance: Luke Beckerdite; The Levison Cullen Gallery, April 2001 (accompanied by copy of receipt and 2015 appraisal); Estate of Richard and Shirley Roberts, Virginia Beach, Virginia

Literature: Deanne Levison, "Living with Antiques: A Collection on the Chesapeake Bay", The Magazine Antiques (December 2001), p. 806, pl. V.; this table is included in the Yale University Rhode Island Furniture Archive, where it is listed as RIF 3863.

Note: The top consists of two book-matched boards that beautifully show off the highly figured grain. This exceptional table is distinguished by the method used to attach the top to the frame. Like the top and aprons, the legs and feet of the table retain rich, dark surfaces.

Available payment options

  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • Amex
  • Diners
  • Discover
  • JCB
  • Union Pay

Purchased items will be available for pick up or shipping from our Asheville, North Carolina auction facility within ten business days of the auction, or will be assessed a storage fee of $5.00 per day, per item. Purchaser agrees that packing and shipping is done at the purchaser's risk and that the purchaser will pay in advance all packing expenses, materials, carrier fees and insurance charges. At our discretion, items will either be packed by an agent such as a packaging store or Brunk Auctions. Please allow two weeks for shipping after payment is received. Shipment of large items is the responsibility of the purchaser. We are happy to provide names of carriers and shippers if a purchaser so requests. Brunk Auctions will have no liability for any loss or damage to shipped items.

Luke Beckerdite; The Levison Cullen Gallery, April 2001 (accompanied by copy of receipt and 2015 appraisal); Estate of Richard and Shirley Roberts, Virginia Beach, Virginia

Per Levison Cullen condition notes, "The knee blocks are replaced, their curved shape based on clear witness marks from the originals. One section of molding under the end of the top is replaced and one leg has been cracked and repaired with screws" Note - Brunk Auctions makes every effort to offer accurate and thorough information, but encourages prospective bidders to inspect items in person whenever possible. Condition statements are provided as a courtesy for general guidance and should not be considered complete or definitive. They do not represent a warranty or assumption of liability by Brunk Auctions. Certain condition issues may not be specifically noted in the report but may be visible in the accompanying photographs, which are considered part of the overall condition report. Please refer to our Terms of Sale for complete information and contact us for additional photos or information as needed.