Piedmont, possibly Albemarle or Orange County, 1790-1810, map or library table with rectangular top centering a leaf decorated oval patera, boldly banded in mahogany and walnut with lightwood inlay, conforming skirt with paneled lightwood inlay with line inlaid surround, on line inlaid and bellflower chain tapered square legs, satinwood or maple veneers, oak and walnut secondary, 30-3/4 x 65 x 25-1/2 in.

Note: According to Sumpter Priddy: "This intriguing Virginia table is unusual for its attenuated proportions and for its ambitious inlays.  Its closest parallel is found in the French writing table or “bureau plat”, first introduced to America by Parisian cabinetmakers fleeing the “Reign of Terror." In central Virginia, Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe, who both served as Minister to France, played an important role in popularizing the new French taste.

This table comes from “Rocklands” Plantation, formed from Madison family lands in Orange County, Virginia.  Although the earlier history of the piece remains unknown, it strongly reflects the convergence of several cultural influences at play in central Virginia during the early years of the nineteenth century - is potentially linked to some of the region's most significant families. “Montpelier”, the home of James Madison, adjoins the property, as do two nearby estates with Jefferson.  It could potentially be linked to “Barboursville”, designed by Jefferson for Governor James Barbour, or “Frascati” constructed for Philip Pendleton Barbour by John Perry--one of Jefferson’s master builders at the University of Virginia."

scratches, minor warping, and wear to top with some cracks and minor warping, scattered inlay and veneer repairs, typical minor bumps at edges and other surface flaws, some pest damage to secondary surfaces, underside of top with unusual construction but appears to be original material, some veneer and banding patches and restorations, some minor patches to interior rails at screw housings; accompanied by conservation notes from Alan Anderson, 1999; accompanied by condition notes from Sumpter Priddy indicating that "This table has a new shellac finish. There are minor scattered patches to the ornamental banding around the edges of the top and a single small patch near the center of the inlaid oval panel. The stringing along the outer edge of the top is restored. All of the satinwood panels of the skirt are original. Approximately seventy-five percent of the cross-banded mahogany veneer, which was applied against the grain of the underlying walnut frame and subsequently came off, has been restored. The bellflowers are original with the exception of one single leaf. The cuffs of the legs, which were also applied across the grain, and the banding around the lower edge of the skirt are restored. Three of the screw pockets on the interior of the rails are patched at their upper edge."