Dining Table, Gateleg

Date1715-1740

MediumMaple, oak and white pine

DimensionsOH: 28 5/8"; OW: 14 1/4"; OD: 41 3/8"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1930-72

DescriptionAppearance:
Dining table with flat, rectangular top and rounded ends; semi-circular leaf hinged to each side (table oval in shape when leaves open); straight skirt with deep drawer, with wooden knob pull, at one end; top of drawer sides molded; four blocked, baluster and ring turned legs terminating in turnip feet; legs braced by four blocked and baluster turned stretchers; pair of gates supporting leaves swing out from frame; each leaf composed of a pair of blocked and baluster turned vertical members braced by an upper rectangular member and a lower blocked and baluster turned member.

Construction:
The side rails and end raIls are tenoned and double pinned into the stiles. The drawer blade, which also functions as the forth rail is also tenoned and pinned into the stiles. The top is secured to the rails with four pegs, the mortises have been drilled through the entire depth of the rails. Wrought nails have been added to strengthen the joining of the top to the rails. The blocked and turned legs are integral with the stiles, the turned feet are tenoned into the legs. The blocked and turned stretchers are tenoned with pegs into the legs. Iron hinges (replaced) are nailed with wrought nails to the top and leaves.

On the leaf-support gates blocked and turned swing legs are tenoned and pegged into rails (lower rail turned) that are in turn tenoned into turned swivel posts with round pegs on each end that turn in mortises in the side rails and stretchers. When closed the swing legs are lap joined to the side rails and stretchers.

The drawer support is nailed into notches in the upper surface of the drawer blade and lower surface of the end rail. A batten (1¾” x ¼” ) is set in notches in the side rails that hold it tightly against the underside of the top, 4½” behind the drawer front, probably to help keep the drawer from tipping.

Single large dovetails join the drawer sides to the back and front. The drawer bottom is nailed from the underside into a rabbet in the front and into the under edges of the sides and back. A turned knob is secured to the drawer front with a round tenon.
The entire table is of maple, with the exception of the oak side rails and drawer bottom, and white pine drawer support, drawer back and sides.

Woods: Primary wood is maple with oak side-skirts and white pine drawer framing.
Markings"XI" carved into leg to left of drawer.
ProvenanceAccording to R. Hendrick, at one time there was a note attached to the location card which read: "Mecklenburg Co. from fine old family." This note is not now attached to location card.