For your consideration is an English Chinese Chippendale-style (Late 18th Century) mahogany silver or tea table with pierced & blind fretwork, a rectangular top that has a pierced gallery above the openwork frieze, and a curved X-form stretcher supporting an under-tier, all supported on fretwork square-section legs, which end in block feet. Similarly styled pieces have sold for over $50,000 (such as the piece sold in 2013 by Flying Pig Auctions for $64,900 shown with bp). Chinese Chippendale refers to a specific kind of railing or balustrade that was inspired by the "Chinese Chippendale" designs of cabinetmaker Thomas Chippendale. The Chinese Chippendale designs in 'The Director' (a book of furniture designs, the first of its kind, that was published in 1754 in London and called The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker’s Director.) were applied to china cabinets, or china shelves, which had glazing bars in a fretwork design and a pagoda-style pediment. A similar fretwork was used for a gallery around the edges of “china tables,” or tea tables, and for the backs and legs of chairs. The table is in good to fair condition, dark finish throughout, light surface wear, nicks and scratches, consistent with age and use, moisture split on top, previous repairs noted to small section of top fretwork, underside of top. With the exclusion of the small fret work damage and repair along with the dry split this piece would nearly be considered very good condition for its age. Truly incredible that such a rare and important piece of furniture has survived in this condition from a Montana Estate. Feet pads have slots where leather pads would have been inserted. Measures 31'H x 31"L x 21"W approximately.