Card Table (Primary Title)
Unknown (Artist)
This table is one of a pair produced for a fashionable gathering space. The lyre support reflects the classical taste for ancient symbols recycled for display in American homes. The lyre was the symbol of Apollo, patron of music and god of the sun. It was a common motif in music rooms and was frequently incorporated into clocks.
As beautiful as this table is, it was also practical. The top hinges and turns to be folded for placement against the wall. When needed, the pair could be rolled out and opened for card-playing guests.
Mary Morton Parsons Fund for American Decorative Arts
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
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