A faithfully executed reproduction of Thomas Jefferson's rent table currently on display in the book room at Monticello in Charlottesville, Va. Four drawers and four hinged triangular compartments are each individually inlaid with three letters of the alphabet. The octagonal case revolves above serpentine legs dovetailed into the fluted column resting on brass casters.
This candlestand is reproduced from the original, which is said to have been the property of Jefferson's mother, Jane Randolph Jefferson. It is an extremely light "tilt top" design of Sheraton influence with graceful lines and perfect proportion. Candlestands were originally used to carefully place a source of light nearby for reading. In the vertical position a candle could be placed on the block at the top of the column and the upright top would block unwanted drafts.
The original design for this dressing glass has been attributed to John Doggett of Roxbury, Boston. The standards supporting the mirror frame are probably the work of Samuel McIntyre of Salem. The lion's head pulls, shield shaped mirror, and drapery carved standards are beautiful examples of the Federal style in America.
Based directly on plate #15 from Thomas Sheraton's "Cabinet Maker and Upholsterer's Drawing Book" Appendix of 1794. Strictly following the details and scale from this lithograph, the only liberties taken were interpreting the materials. The inset penels are sepelle and the top is banded with a mottled bees wing satinwood. Sheraton's late Georgian period design seems to foreshadow Victorian styles found later in the nineteenth century.
Introduced in France around 1760 the ladies writing table was so immensely popular that it became known as the "bonheur du jour" or "happiness of the day". This small desk is derived from a Thomas Sheraton design and is ornamented with rosewood, satinwood and tulipwood line inlay. The oval inlay in the center of the gallery is based on the Prince of Wales crest.
The design for this chest is derived from George Hepplewhite's classic lithograph plate #76 from The Cabinet Maker and Upholsterer's Guide" of 1794. This interpretation is based on the Biggs #2054. The three bowfront drawers are faced with "fiddleback" mahogany. The boxwood stringing forms incurvate radiused corners on the drawer fronts, another typical Hepplewhite detail.
