Federal Mahogany Drop‐Leaf Table – Rope‐Carved Legs on Casters – ca. 1820 New England

Annihilate the landfill, one 200‑year‑old breakfast at a time.

This early 19th‑century Federal mahogany drop‑leaf table brings serious period charm: a rich single‑board top and leaves, elegant rope‑carved legs, and original‑feeling caster feet so it slides easily around a tight Cambridge flat. Leaves down it’s a slim console; leaves up it becomes a warm, character‑packed dining or project table for people who like their furniture with history, not hex keys.

The D’Beetle Difference

• Real Federal Bones: Likely New England, ca. 1820, with classic Federal lines—rectangular center, “D”‑shaped leaves, and finely rope‑carved legs on casters that echo examples sold through New England auctions and specialty dealers. Wear is consistent with age: scattered scratches, finish variation, and edge rubs, but the frame is solid and ready for everyday use.

• Drop‑Leaf Flexibility: Closed it’s only about 18 in deep, perfect as a hallway console or sofa table; with both leaves raised it opens to roughly 55 in, seating 4 comfortably and squeezing 6 when you’re friendly—similar in scale to Federal breakfast tables that dealers position as flexible dining/console hybrids. Swing‑leg supports lock the leaves in place for a surprisingly sturdy footprint.

• Patina That Tells the Story: The single‑board top and leaves show beautiful mahogany grain with two centuries of small nicks, rings, and color shifts—exactly the “wear commensurate with age” collectors expect, not a shiny reproduction. Great as‑is for a warm, lived‑in antique look, or a candidate for a light touch‑up if you prefer a more polished surface.

Measurements

• Height: approx. 28 in
• Width: approx. 48 in
• Depth leaves down: approx. 18 in
• Depth leaves up: approx. 55 in (see tape‑measure photos; message if you want exact leaf widths).