Fine and Rare Chippendale Carved Mahogany Piecrust Tilt-Top Candlestand, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, circa 1770

Philadelphia piecrust candlestands are one of the rarest surviving colonial furniture forms.  Folding stands with a bird cage or “box” as they were classified in the 18^th century had a base price according to the 1772 Philadelphia Price list of £1 15s.  Request claw feet and the price increases to £2 2s 6d.  Certainly, while not listed, inclusion of a scalloped top would likely add yet another 20% to the overall cost. For related tilt-top candlestands see J. Michael Flanigan, American Furniture from the Kaufman Collection, (Washington, DC: National Portrait Gallery, 1986), no. 13, pp. 42-3 and Joseph Downs, American Furniture: Queen Anne and Chippendale Periods, (New York: MacMillan Company, 1952), no.283.