Drop leaf side table

Date1750-1790

MediumMahogany, white pine and birch (replaced)

DimensionsOH: 25 7/8"; OW: 30 3/4"; OD: 23 1/8" open; 13 3/8" closed.

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1952-573

DescriptionAppearance: Table with broad overhanging rectangular top with single rectangular drop leaf both with rounded edges and incurved corners; ruled joints and flap hinges; conforming apron is straight along back and shaped in cyma curves on front with a shallow elongated arch at each end; supported on four cabriole legs with pad feet; one leg pivots to support leaf.

Construction: The front and side rails are tenoned and pegged to the front legs; the proper left side rail is tenoned and pegged to the proper left rear leg; the proper right side rail is half blind dovetailed to the inner white pine rear rail which extends 4/5 of the way across the back and in turn is nailed with four rosehead and three cut nails to the outer birch rear rail which is tenoned to the proper left rear leg; the inner and outer rear rails are separated by two thin vertical wedges; outer rear rail is joined with a knuckle hinge to the short fly rail that is tenoned to the proper right rear leg; two part vertical white pine glue blocks are behind all corners except the dovetailed corner where only one glue block was used; table leaf is joined to stationary top with two iron hinges; table top was originally attached to the frame with two screws in pockets in side rails; top currently attached with conservation "floating top" blocks.

Woods: The fly rail and outer rear rail are birch (replaced), the inner rear rail and the corner glue blocks are white pine.