Dining table

Date1750-1770

MediumMahogany, oak and yellow pine

DimensionsOH: 28 5/8"; OD: 60 1/2"; OW:(open) 65 1/2"; (closed) 22 1/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1986-233

DescriptionRectangular drop-leaf dining table.
Appearance - rectangular leaves and center top section have slightly rounded edges and are connected with barrel joints; straight end rails; all four legs are square at top with three outside chamfered corners, and are circular and tapering beneath rails, terminating in ball and claw feet on casters.
Construction - all elements mahogany except as noted; top center section and leaves made from one board each; each leaf attached to center section with three hinges and barrel joint; top center section screwed to inner frame from underneath; inner frame composed of two end rails dovetailed into two yellow pine side rails with one central yellow pine brace board extending width of frame and tenoned into side rails; opposite inner frame corners rest in stationary legs; oak fixed hinge rails nailed and glued to inner frame on either side and tenoned into opposite, stationary legs; hinge rails attached to oak swing rails with pintle with iron pin; swing rails tenoned into diagonally opposite swing legs.
Label TextThis Virginia mahogany dining table, probably owned locally in the 18th century, has survived in remarkably good condition. Its ball and claw feet (rare on Virginia tables) even retain their original brass and leather casters.
ProvenancePurchased by source through dealer Robert Crawford of Richmond from an individual who recalled that his family had purchased the table from a family in the Penniman area of York County in the 1920s.