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Gift of Newton C. Brainard, 1962.28.5  Photograph by David Stansbury.  © 2011 The Connecticut H…
Tea Table
Gift of Newton C. Brainard, 1962.28.5 Photograph by David Stansbury. © 2011 The Connecticut Historical Society.
Photographs and all rights purchased by the Connecticut Historical Society.

Tea Table

Furniture Maker
Date1780-1800
MediumCherry, brass and iron hardware
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x diameter of top): 28 1/2 x 35 13/16in. (72.4 x 91cm)
Component (maximum width between two feet): 26in. (66cm)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LineGift of Newton C. Brainard
DescriptionCherry tea table in the late Chippendale or early Federal style. The tea table has a round top with a plain edge. The top is not stationary, but tilts up into a vertical position. The pedestal has a cylindrical top, then expands out to a raised ring, over an ovoid baluster, over a ring, a compressed ball, and a cylindrical base with three cabriole legs with pad feet. The lower edges of the pedestal base and underside of the legs near the base are carved with cyma curves, or S-curves, and C-curves.

Condition: The top boards have split and are now held together by the cleats. The horizontal block at the top of the pedestal is loose and has split in half. It was repaired with two butterfly dovetails through the block. The top of each foot is lightly scratched and worn. One leg has considerable wear to the finish. Another leg has shrunk slightly, where the leg meets the pedestal base. There are three black rings and some minor stains on the top. The stand is refinished.

Design and Construction Details: The top is constructed of three boards that are butted together. A pair of slender cleats are screwed to the underside of the top. Between each cleat is a horizontal block which is attached to the cleats with round hinge pins; the top pivots on these pins. A round brass catch on the underside of the top holds the top in a horizontal position. A vertical wooden block, with a roughtly trapezoidal shape, is nailed to the underside of the horizontal block; this serves as a support for the table top when vertical. The pedestal is tenoned through the horizontal block. Each leg is dovetailed into the base of the pedestal. An iron strip is nailed to the underside of each leg and the pedestal base. Each foot has a pad on the underside.
Object number1962.28.5
On View
Not on view
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