Images(4)

Breakfast Table

Date1790-1820

OriginAmerica, Virginia, Petersburg or Richmond or Williamsburg area

MediumBlack walnut, yellow pine, tulip poplar and maple (?)

DimensionsOH: 27 3/8”; OW (closed): 17 ¾”; OW (open): 36 3/16”; OD: 32 7/8”

Credit LineGift of Susan W. Redd and Martha W. McMurran

Object number2015-171

DescriptionApperance: Rectangular drop leaf breakfast table; leaves supported by swing rails with hand holds carved into obverse; straight skirt; drawer in one end with original brail and rosette brass pull; straight tapered legs.

Construction: The front, back, outer rails and the drawer blade are tenoned into the tapered straight legs. The inner (fixed) side rails are glued to the outer swing rails. Knuckle joints are used on the leaf supports that are relieved for finger holds. The top is secured with pocket screws from the outer sides and from the inside of the back rail, and screwed from the underside of the front rail. Leaves are joined to the underside of the top with recessed iron butt hinges. Drawer supports and drawer stops are nailed to the inside of the inner rails.

The drawer is of dovetail construction with bottom chamfered on the underside to fit into dados in the sides and front. The bottom is nailed from the underside to the edge of the back.

The drawer back, sides and bottom and the drawer supports and stops are tulip poplar. The inner side rails are yellow pine, the proper left outer side rail is tulip poplar, the proper right outer side rail appears to be maple. All other surfaces are black walnut.
Label TextSmall drop leaf tables like this example were versatile pieces within a home. Termed "Breakfast Tables," they could be used for dining, writing, other sedentary work. The drop leaves allowed the table to be placed against the perimeter of the room when not in use. The use of black walnut, yellow pine and tulip poplar with the family history suggests an eastern Virginia origin for this table, most likely between Petersburg, Richmond, and Williamsburg.
ProvenanceThis breakfast table descended in the Gregory and Warburton family of Charles City and James City Counties and Williamsburg, Virginia. The donor’s father’s family lived at Pinewoods in James City County until the beginning of the 20th century when they moved to the Peyton Randolph House in Williamsburg. Later in the 20th century they moved to 402 Scotland Street.