Card Table

Card Table, Annapolis Maryland, c. 1790
Maker: John Shaw, American, (1745-1829)
Medium: Mahogany, Tulip Poplar, Yellow Pine, White Oak
FW165 Donated by Mrs. Virginia Purviance Bonsal White

In early America, card playing with games like whist and loo was a favorite leisure activity. Card playing was so ubiquitous it could be found among all classes from the genteel homes like that of Annapolitan Charles Carroll Barrister to the rowdy Main Street tavern of James West. With the rise in popularity of games as pastimes, local cabinetmakers created specialized furniture to cater to clients. The Chesapeake region was the most notorious for card playing in America, and as a result some fabulous game tables were made in Annapolis.

This attractive card table was likely a stock item kept in the workshop of Scottish-born John Shaw (1745-1829), who is regarded as Annapolis’ premier 18th century cabinetmaker. Shaw was making this form as early as 1775, when he worked in partnership with Archibald Chisholm. Like many contemporary cabinetmakers, Shaw’s work was heavily influenced by British pattern books by Thomas Sheraton and Thomas Chippendale. This is one of several pieces in the museum’s collection that still contains a paper label from Shaw’s shop. The label on this table is on the swing leg that comes out to support the top. The table has rounded molded edges and applied fillet and half round molding applied to the bottom of the apron. The front apron shows off flame-figured mahogany veneers. When not in use the table could be folded and put at rest on the side of the room.

The primary objective of the Hammond-Harwood House Association furnishing committee, once the Association owned the building,’ was to acquire period appropriate antiques. Committee member Mrs. Virginia Purviance Bonsal White (1869-1955) was one of the museum’s greatest assets. White helped establish the museum’s collection of fine furnishings, including this card table.

White was very involved with the Baltimore Museum of Art, and her silver collection is on display at that institution. An avid collector, Henry Francis DuPont, founder of Winterthur, believed White had the best collection of American decorative arts, second only to his. She passed away July 12, 1955 and two years later her friends erected a plaque in her honor, which still hangs inside the museum in the business hyphen.

By Rachel Lovett,Curator