![]() ![]() From the collection of the LA County Museum of Art.Īnother style of drop leaf table also features a fixed section in the center with two hinged leaves that fold down on either side. This oval drop leaf table exhibits classic ball and claw feet and dates to the mid - 18th century. When opened, these "flaps" were supported on pivoted legs that could swing out from the frame, joined at the top and bottom by stretchers, thus resembling a gate. Early gate leg tables featured 6 legs and featured two hinged leaves that dropped down when not in use. More intimate dining arrangements required smaller tables that could also be easily stored or moved when not in use. The gate leg table was first used in England in the late 1600s as dining habits began to change. This English gate-leg table is a superb example of this classic table form. For example, a tilt - top table may also feature a pie crust edge and a pedestal base. You will note that many of these terms can be used to describe a single table. Below is a quick guide on how to identify antique tables, table types, and some of the terminology used when referring to vintage table design. From pier tables to hall tables, drafting tables to billiard tables, the various types of tables seem endless. It was around this time that we saw the development of many other types of antique tables, crafted to serve more specific purposes. For example, the large bulbous legs of the 16th-century table are one of the most recognizable design elements of the Tudor period and can be found on most antique tables of that time. It was also during this time that tables began to better reflect, and often define, the styles of the period, typically through the design and number of legs that supported the table. Such tables proved to be more compact and versatile in the world of furniture design and were the first iterations of mechanical and specialized tables that were to follow over the next several hundred years. In the 16th century, the invention of the “draw top” or “joined” table allowed you to double the length of your table with leaves that rested beneath the table top and could be extended on runners from beneath other leaves. It would be some time before the idea of a dedicated room for dining took hold. This was problematic as most halls were used for other purposes in addition to dining. ![]() Massive rectangular antique wood tables made of oak and elm took center stage at large gatherings, but they proved to be cumbersome and difficult to move after the feasts had concluded. Known as "refectory tables," these trestle-based tables originated in monasteries and were later adopted for use in the Great Halls of feudal castles. Western dining tables, most notably those of the Medieval period, were simple planks that rested upon trestles using peg construction, which allowed them to be easily assembled and disassembled as needed. Later Roman examples were more decorative and often featured elaborate legs in the shape of animals, sphinxes, and other grotesque figures and were crafted lower to the ground to accommodate dining from couches. The ancient Egyptians crafted simple 4-legged tables of stone and wood, while the Greeks and Romans utilized more exotic materials such as bronze and cedar to craft tables that often resembled altars with slab sides for support. The most basic of furnishings, the table has been in use for thousands of years, though not just for dining. Have you ever wondered if your sofa table or coffee table has special origins? This guide on how to identify antique tables might just tell you if you're housing an antique piece of rare furniture. ![]() If you are hoping to learn more about antique wood tables and more, read on. From side tables displaying your cherished photos and collectibles to occasional tables providing the backdrop for family meals and celebrations, the table has a unique history and evolution from simple wood planks to the multitude of styles and forms available today. Tables are likely one of the most under-appreciated types of furniture in our homes, yet they provide the foundation for much of our home decor. Walnut and oak were replaced with mahogany as the wood of choice due to its dramatic, deep red hue. The extendable English dining table dates to the mid-17th century when tastes moved away from large, static furnishings to lighter, more accommodating styles. ![]()
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