Pair of pier tables & looking glasses (retrieved 7/2/2011)

"The Tufft pier table is probably an adaptation of an English form," Mr. Sack said.

A pier table was used for serving some of the catered hors d'oeuvres, including tomato tarts, phyllo triangles and shrimp.

Stamped "H. Lannuier, New York," Christie's pier table is expected to bring $300,000 to $500,000.

The elaborate, rather adventurous pier tables had white marble tops, petticoat mirrors and beautifully carved mahogany scrolled-leg supports with eagle heads and lion-paw feet.

(One pier table and the three center tables survive.)

Other objects have colorful pasts, including an early 19th-century French pier table used by Joseph Bonaparte, a brother of Napoleon.

It was a Chippendale carved mahogany marble-top pier table from Philadelphia, circa 1760.

The Met has its pier table, fire screen and a chair.

The pier table behind him had been ordered and used by James Monroe.