16.533 American Renaissance Revival Herter Brothers Table

A fabulous example of the American Renaissance Revival Period, this table of incomparable style and quality by Herter Brothers, was bought directly from the Fredrick William Vanderbilt Estate in Hyde Park, New York. Fredrick was the grandson of Commodore Vanderbilt, founder of New York Central Railroad. In 1887, Cornelius II, the Commodore’s son, purchased the table along with paintings and bronzes at a sale from the art patron Cornelia M. Stuart. Her magnificent house at 34th and 5th Avenue, known for its elegance and beauty, was torn down and replaced with the original Waldorf Astoria Hotel (1890-1929). The Empire State Building now stands at this site.

Several years after the sale, Cornelius II gave this table to his brother as a house warming gift. In 1970, the State of New York received Vanderbilt's house as a donation. Later, the table was sold along with other possessions which made up this incredible estate. Unequaled in craftsmanship and beauty, this table has the finest and most delicate of inlay work. The marquetry design, with its nervous tendrils, appears to have three dimensional qualities. It almost jumps off the surface. The inlaid malachite ribbons surround the lapis lazuli medallions which are inset with mother-of-pearl. It is quite large for an inlaid table and can be used as an entry table.