Old Sturbridge Village recently had the rare opportunity to purchase two important Nathan Lombard (1777–1847) furniture pieces: a drop-leaf table and a chest of drawers (Figs.1, 2). In recent years, Nathan Lombard has gained widespread acclaim for his intricately inlaid furniture, which is as delightful to the eye today as it would have been in the early 1800s, when these objects were produced. Yet, Lombard’s repertoire also included more utilitarian forms with simplified inlay meant to reach a more diverse clientele. Indeed, OSV’s pieces were part of everyday life for one New England family, who left their imprint on these pieces after generations of use.
