A late 19th century superb quality Chippendale style mahogany piecrust tilt top tea table with tripod base.This table consists of a mahogany top of good patina (colour) with applied scallop shell and foliate carved decoration with applied piecrust decoration to the edge, the top can either be secured down or tilted up.The top is supported by a tri-form base consisting of a turned and carved baluster column with foliate and rope twist decoration leading down to three cabriole legs with scallop shell carving to the knee and terminating with claw feet.This type of carved tripod table became popular in the 18th century providing an example of fine carving on a domestic item.The drinking of tea became fashionable amongst the upper classes at the beginning of the 18th century and a ‘tea table’ was used to display the best silver and china, not being covered with a table cloth like a supper table they were decorated with carving, a gallery or a pie-crust edge.This table is...