AFA Autumn 2018

2018 Antiques & Fine Art 105 Tilt-top stand, attributed to Nathan Lumbard, Sutton, Mass., 1815–1820. Mahogany, cherry. H. 42⅛ (top up), 27¾ (top down), 15 (across top), D. 24 (across top) in. Winterthur Museum; Gift of Julie Briel Thomas in memory of Karl Lombard Briel. Photo by Laszlo Bodo. Lumbard’s furniture was sometimes created or presented to commemorate celebratory events such as new homes or weddings. Lumbard gave this tilt-top stand to his daughter Julia on the occasion of her marriage to Abijah Woodward in 1837. Its elegant profile is created by extending the legs vertically to give the impression that its scroll feet are standing on tiptoes. To achieve the visual affect, Lumbard pushed the wood beyond its reasonable limit, creating weakness at the sharp angle of the wood grain just above the feet. Over time, two of the feet have broken as a result. While visually appealing, the difficulty of creating this leg, coupled with its vulnerability, is perhaps why this is Lumbard’s only known attempt at this design. Yet, its creation reflects a cabinetmaker’s willingness to experiment with the form.