The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 14, 2025

Pier Table

c. 1829–35

Joseph Meeks and Sons

(American)
America, New York
mahogany; marble
Overall: 91.5 x 105.4 x 57.1 cm (36 x 41 1/2 x 22 1/2 in.)
Gift of Mrs. R. Livingston Ireland 1981.65
Location: 205 Federal American

Description

Ornamental tables such as this marble-topped example were most often used in rooms on a narrow wall between two windows or just across from them on an opposite wall. Usually a gilded mirror hung above the table to create a single pier of glass, top to bottom, which reflected light around the room. This table’s bold use of carved and stenciled decoration, as well as expensive white marble, indicate that it was owned by a very wealthy family.
  • Ireland family, New York (?); R. Livingston Ireland, Cleveland.
  • Lee, Sherman E. “The Year in Review for 1981.” The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art 69, no. 2 (February 1982): 39–82. Reproduced: p. 52; Mentioned: p. 79, no. 25 www.jstor.org
    Hawley, Henry. “Four Pieces of American Furniture.” The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art 69, no. 10 (December 1982): 324–339. Mentioned and reproduced: p. 327-329, figs. 6-8 www.jstor.org
    Voorsanger, Catherine Hoover, and John K. Howat. Art and the Empire City: New York, 1825-1861. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000. Mentioned and reproduced: p. 294-295, fig. 240
    Pollack, Jodi. 2002. “The Meeks Cabinet Making Firm in New York City: Part I, 1797-1835.” Magazine Antiques 161, no. 5 (May 2002): 102–111. Mentioned and reproduced: p. 107, pl. IX, IXa
  • The Year in Review for 1981. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (February 17-March 21, 1982).
  • {{cite web|title=Pier Table|url=false|author=Joseph Meeks and Sons|year=c. 1829–35|access-date=14 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1981.65