Dining Table

Date1730-1750

OriginAmerica, Virginia, Shenandoah Valley (probably)

MediumBlack walnut, oak, yellow pine, and white cedar.

DimensionsOH: 28 1/4"; OW (open): 48 1/2";OD: 42"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1930-24

DescriptionAppearance: Dining table: one drop leaf at each side; top forms an oval when open; straight skirt at each end; drawer in skirt at one end supported by single central bar; drawer entirely original and no evidence of brass or wooden knob; four cabriole legs terminating in a triphid foot on a high platform; 2 legs pivot on a brace to support the top; knee brackets at each side of each leg; knee brackets at the inside of each side of table are slightly recessed.

Construction: The yellow pine inner side rails are dovetailed to the walnut front and back rails. The top is pegged to the front and back rails with modern wooden pegs. (It appears that there were several earlier pegs and possibly nails)

The fixed element of the 2.5”x6.75” oak swing rails are nailed to the inner side rails. The swing element of the swing (outer) rail is joined to the fixed element with knuckle joints. Both the swing element and the fixed element are double tenoned and pegged into the square top section of the cabriole legs. An integral quarter round molding at the end facing edge of the upper square section of the legs overlaps the end rails and extends down to the knee of the cabriole legs. Walnut knee blocks are nailed to the legs which terminate in integral carved triphid feet.

The leaves connect to the top with a rule joint. Butt hinges inset in the leaves and table top are secured with screws and, from the face of the leaves and table top, rivets with 1/2” diameter heads.
A 4” wide drawer support is dovetailed and pegged with 2 wooden pegs to the drawer blade and lap-joined and pegged with 4 wooden pegs to a rail that is it turn nailed to the inner side rails from the outside.

The drawer is of dovetail construction with some of the dovetails wedged. The walnut front has an integral quarter round overlapping edge. The white cedar bottom with front to back grain is pegged into rabbets in the yellow pine sides and back. Note: Bottom, side and back woods were confirmed with microscopic inspection by conservator Chris Swan.
ProvenanceFound in Virginia according to source. Believed to have always been with High Chest 1930-3.