Rare Chippendale Carved and Figured Mahogany Scalloped-Top Tilt-Top Tea Table, Carving possibly by the "de Young High Chest" Carver, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Circa 1770

A note accompanies this table that sates that this table originally belonged to a Mr. Gallager from Richmond, Virginia who died in the tragic 1811 theater fire in Richmond. Their home and its contents, including the table, were purportedly inherited by the Carr family that worked for the Gallager family. Upon review of the victims list of the December 26, 1811 Richmond Theater Fire the closest in spelling was a Mrs. Joseph (Mary) Gallego.

Joseph Gallego (1768-1818) was an immigrant from Spain and married Mary Magee (1761-1811) in 1783. Mary was raised in Philadelphia by her parents Alexander Magee II (1716-1766) and Marie Rivers Dugsdale Magee (1723-1789). It is possible that the table was originally owned by Mary's parents.

Nancy Carr, Richmond, Virginia;

Nancy Ellis (d. 1876), Richmond, Virginia;

This table relates directly to a nearly identical pair of tables sold in the rooms, Important Americana, January 24, 2014, sale 9100, lot 206 from the collection of Ted and Ingie Kilroy. The carving on the legs was possibly done by the same carver who ornamented the high chest of drawers at the de Young Fine Arts Museum in San Francisco, California (acc. no. 77.2a-b).