Images(4)

Breakfast table

DateCa. 1770

OriginAmerica, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

MediumMahogany, yellow pine, tulip poplar, and ash

DimensionsOH: 28 3/8"; OW (closed): 20 3/4"; OW (open): 38 1/2"; OD: 29 5/8"

Credit LineBequest of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Hennage

Object number1991-79,1

DescriptionAppearance: Pair of breakfast tables, each with a rectangular top with short drop leaves above a straight skirt; drawer in one end of skirt with a bail and rosette brass drawer pull; molded square tapered legs joined by an X form stretcher.

Construction: The two tables have similar but not identical construction
.1: The back and outer side rails are tenoned into the legs. The top front rail is likely dovetailed into the top of the legs. The top is secured to the rails with a series of side to side and front to back butt joined glue-blocks. A single bead molding is nailed to the bottom surface of the back rail and lower front rail, which is also tenoned to the legs.

The outer side rails are in three sections with the leaf supporting center section knuckle joined to the largest section. The leaves are rule joined to the top with original iron butt hinges.

The inner side rails are nailed to the outer rails from the inside with wrought nails. Drawer supports are nailed flush to the bottom edge of the inner side rails. Vertical rectangular drawer stops are nailed to the inner side rails between the drawer supports and top supporting glue blocks.

The lap joined stretchers are tenoned into the chamfered portion of the legs.

The drawer is of standard dovetail construction with the underside of the bottom chamfered to fit into grooves in the front and sides. (Modern material has been added to repair the bottom edge of the sides/drawer runners.) Bottoms are nailed from below to the underside of the back with wrought nails.

While the above is based on table .1, most of it applies to both tables, however 1991-79, 2 has several significant differences:

The top of .2 is joined to the back with screws in screw pockets and the top front rail with screws. Only three glue blocks join each side rail to the top
The legs on .2 are thinner and more tapered than the legs on .1 and the sides of .1 are c.1" longer than those on .2.
The hand-holds to open the leaf supports are square on .1 and curved on .2.
Drawer stops on .1 are vertical, horizontal on .2.
ProvenanceDonor purchased from Israel Sack, Inc. in 1970