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Welcome to
 
the Ball & Claw
in historic Newport, Rhode Island

the Ball & Claw is the exclusive showroom of furnituremaker Jeffrey Greene, who has specialized in the furniture designs of Newport's legendary Goddard and Townsend cabinetmakers for 25 years. In addition, the Ball & Claw carries a wide selection of accessories of 18th-century design to complement traditional interiors.

The page links at left will guide you to information about Jeffrey Greene and his furniture as well as some of the books, paintings, porcelain, lighting, and other accessories available at the Ball & Claw. We can ship anything anywhere, and shipping information is included.

We hope you can visit us in beautiful and historic Newport.

        Summer 2008

Hours: Daily 10-7, Fri and Sat 10-8, Sunday 10-6

Furniture by Jeffrey Greene is exempt from Rhode Island's 7% sales tax.  

Our showroom is at  29 America's Cup Ave., just past the Newport Gateway Visitors Center and Marriott Hotel.  See Map & Directions.  

NEW! A selection of exceptional upholstered pieces of period design, made and upholstered to our specifications.  Wing chairs, lolling chairs, and sofas from the Jacobean, William & Mary, Queen Anne, Chippendale, and Federal periods are available.  See Accessory Pieces

Featured Furniture:                                    

Townsend Five-Drawer Chest
mahogany, 41½"h, 37½"w, 20"d

Elegant simplicity in the early Townsend style after an original by Christopher or John Townsend.  This example is in mahogany with figured drawer fronts. The case is near square in proportion with Newport ogee bracket feet.  The original has exposed dovetails on the top of the case which are replicated here.

See Available Pieces page for this and other pieces that are currently available in our Newport showroom.

chest townsend 5 dr mhg ang.jpg (61322 bytes)

Goddard Slant-Front Desk 
figured mahogany, 42"h, 43"w, 25"d SOLD 

Newport desk of the finest design replicating exactly a signed Goddard original in a private collection. The fall front opens to reveal the fully-blocked Newport interior. This desk is built entirely of highly figured, extremely dense mahogany.  21 drawers in total, each fully hand dovetailed in the exact manner of the original. The brasses were specially hand cast to replicate those of the original.

desk s goddard open 2.jpg (82333 bytes)
John Townsend Block-Front Desk
maho
gany, 42"h, 45½"w, 24½"d SOLD 

An exacting replica of the labeled John Townsend original in the State Department.  The block-front design begins with three robust John Townsend shells with palmette centers on the lid and extends down the three drawers and feet to terminate in delicate volutes at the floor.  The highest level of refinement in Newport desk design

desk townsend 2 closed.jpg (70042 bytes)
Newport Bonnet-Top Highboy
figured mahogany, 87"h, 41"w, 21 1/2"d

The essence of Newport furniture design: An early Townsend family design that relies on the refinement of line and proportion rather than ornament for its impressive presence.  It exemplifies the design ideals of the day: grace, lightness, and an upward visual sweep.  The base features a Townsend fleur-de-lis shell and stands atop Townsend cabriole legs with slipper feet.  The upper case is crowned with an open bonnet with book-matched pediment panels and a central flame-and-urn finial on a fluted plinth.  The entire piece is handcrafted in dense figured mahogany that seems to glow from within.

See Available Pieces page for this and other pieces that are currently available in our Newport showroom.

highboy npt bnt top shell.jpg (47798 bytes)

the Ball & Claw

29 America's Cup Ave.
Newport, RI 02840

(401) 848-5600
fax (401) 848-5650

email: info@theballandclaw.com

showroom: Christine Greene