This is an American Newport sideboard and is an exact reproduction of a famous Newport antique. This sideboard was made in 1975 by Kittinger.  There were only 8 of these made.  The piece is solid mahogany with Boxwood and Ebony inlay. H 41" L 64" D 28" at center and 20 3/8" at the ends. There is a serpentine front underneath which the center legs of the piece are canted to conform to the serpentine curves. There is a pull out serving tray with two small brass pulls just under the top center. There is a long center drawer divided for silver with inlay and brasses giving a two drawer effect. The center drawer is flanked by two smaller drawers with matching inlay and brasses.  The four lower drawers have matching inlay and all have locks. Matching inlay is seen in the body of the cabinet just above each of the four gently tapering legs. The legs have a delicate floral inlay within a perimeter string inlay ending a few inches above the floor in a small rectangular inlay. The rectangle inlay is matched on the two rear legs at the same level.

When Newport furniture is mentioned, it usually brings to mind the shell carved block front pieces of the Chippendale period and the superb examples turned out by the Townsends and Goddards. Little mention is made of the names Holmes Weaver, Robert Lawton, Palmer & Coe, etc., all Newport cabinetmakers who, together with Thomas-Goddard, so ably carried the tradition of fine craftsmanship well into the 19^th Century. The classic period includes the designs of Hepplewhite & Sheraton which were characterized by delicacy, lightness, inlay and superbly figured veneers.

The original of this sideboard was made for John Brown as a part of the original furnishings of the new home which he had built in Providence, Rhode Island in 1786 and this masterpiece of American Design and craftsmanship still occupies a prominent place in the dining room. The serpentine front with the finely matched panels of figured mahogany accented with fine inlay and the canted center legs conforming to the serpentine curves, all combine to make this an outstanding piece.

H 41" L 64" D 28" at center and 20 3/8" at the ends