Images(4)

Card Table

Date1820-1845

Possibly by John Calvin Burgner

Possibly by Christian Burgner

Possibly by Daniel Burgner

OriginAmerica, Tennessee, Greene County or Washington County

MediumCherry, tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera by microanalysis)

Credit LineGift of Mary Jo Case

Object number2021-44

DescriptionCard table with cherry top and legs and figured tulip poplar veneered skirt; top serpentine in front with flat section at center, rounded corners and shaped sides with skirt echoing shape of top with flat square panel of figured cherry in center of skirt; top leaf hinged, supported when open by proper right rear swing leg; turned cherry legs extend from floor to top with flat rectangular panels at skirt; round legs have ring turnings just below skirt; taper towards feet, ring turnings just above feet, urn shaped cuff above rounded tapered feet.Label TextThis card table may be the work of one of the Burgner brothers, whose cabinet shops in Greene County, Tennessee were remarkably productive during much of the 19th century. Originally from Switzerland, earlier generations of the Burgner family followed a familiar pattern of immigration, settling first in Pennsylvania, then moving to western Virginia, and finally to East Tennessee.

The Burgners' furniture often features the elements seen here: robustly turned legs and a mixture of highly figured native woods. In this instance, the maker combined richly grained cherry for the legs and top with exceedingly rare curly tulip poplar veneers for the aprons. The latter wood is particularly exotic in appearance.

The table descended in the Carson family of Washington County, Tennessee, not far from the Burgners' shop.ProvenanceAccording to information give to the donor upon purchase of the card table, the piece descended through the Carson family of Washington County, Tennessee. Based on the construction date of the table—early nineteenth century—and genealogical research, its ownership can be traced to either Moses and Margaret Carson or Hugh and Susannah Campbell. Moses Carson married Margaret Ross on January 2, 1816. Their family had the means to own such a card table based on the property and goods listed in Moses’ will from 1851. The Carson’s had at least one planation, a listing of household and kitchen furniture, and a significant amount of livestock and chattel. An 1850 slave census lists Moses Carson as owning eight slaves; four male, four female. Their son, John Ross Carson married Sarah Jane Campbell, the daughter of Hugh and Susannah Campbell. Hugh and Susannah were married in the early nineteenth century although the exact date is unknown. Their birthdates, 1770 and 1782 respectively, make the early nineteenth century a plausible marriage date. The Campbell’s had even greater means than Moses and Margaret Carson. Hugh’s will from 1836 bequeaths one plantation to his wife Susannah, and two more to his sons James and Brookens. A later will by Susannah reveals the family’s significant monetary and land holdings as well as several beds and sets of bedding. Household and kitchen furniture passed through Hugh and Susannah’s wills although no specifics other than bed and bedding were given. Either the Carson or the Campbell family could have owned the card table, although the Campbell family is more likely given their higher economic status as deduced from their wills. From them they could have passed the table to their daughter Sarah Jane who married into the Carson family of Washington County, Tennessee.