Tea Table
Original OwnerProbably originally owned by
Colonel John Chandler
(Anglo-American, 1721 - 1805)
Furniture MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1760-1790
MediumCherry primary wood, pine secondary wood, brass hardware
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width x depth when closed): 26 1/4 x 29 1/4 x 19 3/4in. (66.7 x 74.3 x 50.2cm)
Component (width when open): 49 1/4in. (125.1cm)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LineGift of Frederick K. and Margaret R. Barbour
Object number1964.33.4
DescriptionCherry tea table in the Queen Anne, or late baroque, style. The tea table has a rectangular top with a raised, molded edge. The frame has four rails above a projecting, quarter-round, skirt with an elaborately shaped lower edge consisting of a series of cyma curves, or S-curves, and reverse cyma curves. Each short side of the table has a horizontal slide that pulls out to extend the width of the table. Each cabriole leg has narrow ankles above a pad foot. Hardware consists of a small brass pull at the end of each slide.
Condition: The surface of the top and slides have light scratches, wear, and stains. There are minor splits at the edges of the top and the molding nailed to the top. The underside of the top, slides, and interior of all the rails have multiple spots of an unknown white substance. The slide stops are repaired or replaced. The feet and legs are lightly scratched and worn. The outer edge of one foot has a small, relatively fresh chip.
Design and Construction Details.
Design Details. The molding at the edge of the top consists of a deep cove around the top; the exterior molding around the top consists of a deep ovolo over a bead. The lower edge of each short side skirt is shaped with a cyma curve and reverse cyma curve flanked by a raised half circle. The lower edge of each long side skirt is shaped with a pair of cyma and reverse cyma curves, flanked by a raised half circle. Each foot consists of a bowl with a neatly flat top over a thick disc-shaped pad.
Construction Details. The top is formed of a single board with a bead, or projecting half-round, on all four sides. The cove molding is nailed down on the top edge of the top; these nails extend down and join the top to the frame. Each long side rail is tenoned and double-pinned to the top of each full-height leg post. The long side skirt is nailed to the front lower third of the long side rail; the lower edge of the long side rail is roughly canted, or carved away, to conform to the shape of the skirt. Each short side of the table has a rail above the slide; this is possibly dovetailed into the top of the leg posts. The rail below the slide is tenoned and double pinned to the leg posts. The short side skirt is nailed to the front lower section of this rail; the lower edge of this short side railis roughly canted, or carved away, to conform to the shape of the skirt.
Slides. The slide is supported by a runner and guide that consists of a long piece of wood with a groove; these is nailed to the interior of each long side rail. Each slide consists of a board that is tenoned and nailed to a strip of wood at one end. This strip of wood is about 1 inch deep and forms the lip-molded front of the slide. The interior edge of each slide has two stops, or blocks of wood screwed to the top.
NotesHistorical Note: When Colonel John Chandler (1720/1-1800), a Loyalist, or Tory, fled his home in 1774, this tea table was left behind. It was confiscated by American patriots. Condition: The surface of the top and slides have light scratches, wear, and stains. There are minor splits at the edges of the top and the molding nailed to the top. The underside of the top, slides, and interior of all the rails have multiple spots of an unknown white substance. The slide stops are repaired or replaced. The feet and legs are lightly scratched and worn. The outer edge of one foot has a small, relatively fresh chip.
Design and Construction Details.
Design Details. The molding at the edge of the top consists of a deep cove around the top; the exterior molding around the top consists of a deep ovolo over a bead. The lower edge of each short side skirt is shaped with a cyma curve and reverse cyma curve flanked by a raised half circle. The lower edge of each long side skirt is shaped with a pair of cyma and reverse cyma curves, flanked by a raised half circle. Each foot consists of a bowl with a neatly flat top over a thick disc-shaped pad.
Construction Details. The top is formed of a single board with a bead, or projecting half-round, on all four sides. The cove molding is nailed down on the top edge of the top; these nails extend down and join the top to the frame. Each long side rail is tenoned and double-pinned to the top of each full-height leg post. The long side skirt is nailed to the front lower third of the long side rail; the lower edge of the long side rail is roughly canted, or carved away, to conform to the shape of the skirt. Each short side of the table has a rail above the slide; this is possibly dovetailed into the top of the leg posts. The rail below the slide is tenoned and double pinned to the leg posts. The short side skirt is nailed to the front lower section of this rail; the lower edge of this short side railis roughly canted, or carved away, to conform to the shape of the skirt.
Slides. The slide is supported by a runner and guide that consists of a long piece of wood with a groove; these is nailed to the interior of each long side rail. Each slide consists of a board that is tenoned and nailed to a strip of wood at one end. This strip of wood is about 1 inch deep and forms the lip-molded front of the slide. The interior edge of each slide has two stops, or blocks of wood screwed to the top.
Status
Not on view
