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 Tables
Through the Ages
Refectory Tables
- 1550 to 1700
Usually made of oak,
sometimes elm, sometimes a combination of the two. -
Carving
on the apron (wood running vertically beneath the top) is
often carved on only one side of the table because originally
these tables would be against a wall.
-
Tops
made from two or three planks, occasionally just one.
-
Joints
pegged with dowels which, because, of age, stand proud of
the surface (see fakes).
-
Again
because of age, these tables often have repairs or replacement
parts.
-
Feet
can be worn down so stretcher bars are lower than originally
intended.
-
Many
copies of refectory tables were made from floorboards in the
19th century, look for nail holes on the table top.
Gateleg
and Drop-leaf Tables
17th century onwards
- Most of
these tables have four fixed legs and they seat six people
comfortably.
- Early tables
are made of oak, later ones usually mahogany,
sometimes red walnut or fruitwood, and of solid wood rather
than veneer.
- The grain
of the wood runs parallel with the hinges.
- Check that
the hinges are still good and that the leaves of the table
are not splitting away from the them.
- Copies
are usually veneered,
often of flimsier construction with no depth to the patina.
Pedestal
Tables
Late 18th to early 19th century
 These
types of tables were seen in the books of both Hepplewhite
and Sheraton.- Often made
in mahogany, sometimes with crossbanding
- Check that
a small table has not been cut down from a larger one, a common
practice at the beginning of the 20th century.
- There are
many reproduction pedestal tables around. Look at the patina,
does it have the depth you would expect on antique furniture?
See fakes.
Extending
Tables - 19th century
 Tables
are usually made of mahogany.- Extra leaves
come up from under the table when it is opened in some examples,
in others extra leaves stored separately can be inserted.
- Top maker
for extending tables is Robert Jupe.
- Reproduction
tables may be less elegant and almost certainly are veneered
unlike antique tables of this kind.
Pembroke
and Sofa Tables
Mid 18th century
- Pembroke
tables are named after the Countess of Pembroke who is
said to have had the first one.
- These tables
can be many shapes, circular, rectangular, oval or serpentine
with flaps on two sides.
- Sofa tables
are similar in style to Pembroke but are longer and slimmer.
- Sofa tables
are usually made of mahogany and are often veneered.
- As with
other tables, check the patina. Also, look at the veneer,
is it thin and machine cut? If the answer is yes, it is a
later reproduction.
Tripod
Tables - 18th century
 These
were used as tea tables and often have tilting tops so they
can be put against a wall when not in use.- They were
made in solid mahogany usually, sometimes from fruitwood,
elm or oak, occasionally from papier maché. They were often
quite decorative.
Card
and Games Tables
18th century onwards
- Card table
usually have folding tops which, when opened, are sometimes
held by a gateleg or, more rarely, by a back leg on a hinge
that pulls out in a concertina action.
- They can
be rectangular with straight or serpentine sides or a demi-lune
shape.
See
also Dates and Periods of English Furniture
Copyright
© 2002 by Carol Fisher
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