Southern Antiques/Chapter 13

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Chapter 12

Southern Antiques
by Paul H. Burroughs

Tables

Chapter 14

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3622547Southern Antiques — TablesPaul H. Burroughs

XIII

TABLES

TEA drinking was introduced into the colonies in an early period, and became popular in the South. Card playing was perhaps the chief diversion of the men, and women likewise indulged in the sport. The almost pressing need for tables for such purposes made tea and card tables in abundance a necessity; but their use was not always confined to the purpose for which they were made, serving as they did for breakfast and supper table. These tables were a combination of charm and convenience.

The only tables made especially for tea drinking were those with the raised rim or gallery, to prevent the china, fragile as it was, from slipping off the table. The exceptionally small gate-leg table served the purpose of a tea table admirably. Tea tables are mentioned in inventories as early as 1722, during which period were made tavern tables with splayed legs, making them difficult to tip over. Claypoole, in South Carolina, in 1740, made "all sorts of tea tables." The first real table having a raised rim made its appearance in the Queen Anne period. It is a type of old table rarely found today; but it is a popular style used by modern manufacturers.

The butterfly table, a solely American design, is said never to have been found outside of New England, but one purchased in Columbia, South Carolina, a few years ago, of the trestle type, as shown by sketch, was examined in the course of this study and found to be made of Southern walnut throughout, with Southern pine used in the crossbar underneath the top. This table is now in a prominent collection. Proof may be adduced from the finding of this table that traveling cabinetmakers came South very early.

In the Chippendale period came what is known as the pie-crust table. This had a scalloped top with raised rim, set upon

Walnut butterfly table

a tripod. These are also very rare. The English tables of this type were elaborately carved, but the Southern examples are plain, and devoid of carving on the knees. The Pembroke table, named presumably for the lady at whose order the first one was made, originated in England at this time. It has four square legs, with a drop-leaf on either side, and served the purpose of a breakfast or supper table. Hepplewhite and Sheraton show tables of this type in very elaborate design, and call them breakfast or supper tables, and those produced by the Southern workmen were chaste and interesting examples of the type. Specimens in the tripod type are found extending into the Empire period; and the later Sheraton examples had brass lion's-paw feet and tilting top.

Many Southern gentlemen combined hard drinking with their other diversions, and were inveterate gamblers, be it known. Piquet, faro, and écarté were the chief games that they played. The ladies and younger men indulged in loo. Card tables needed to be well made, and were especially constructed for the purpose in the eighteenth century; and they were listed in inventories as early as 1727. They took the characteristics of each period in which they were made, and appear in delightful manner in many forms. As distinguished from other tables, they have a flap top, and four or five legs. Peculiar to the majority of Southern-made card tables are the five legs, four of which are stationary, and one of which swings out to support the top when open. Card tables of the Hepplewhite period are sometimes found very elaborately inlaid, and frequently in pairs. Mahogany was the most popular wood for this type of table.

The active interests in the home relate themselves to the small table. To encompass the various tables of small size made in the South, to meet the various needs, would constitute a comprehensive study. One plantation owner is listed as having owned twenty-three. Much ingenuity was employed by the Southern craftsmen to meet the demand. With the gate-leg and its drop-leaf, used for many purposes, on came the procession of the small tables: the tavern early as the gate-leg, with a fine table of the stretcher type shown in this book, followed by a stretcher table of a more elaborate variety; the side table and dressing table; tea and card tables, devoted to many uses; mixing tables; a Windsor table after a more northern type; a host of them were employed. "At the Sign of the Tea Table and Chair in Gay Street," Hopkins in 1767, in Baltimore, was offering a vast array made in mahogany, walnut, and cherry, with carving and without, "card, parlor and tea tables . . . decanter stands, tea kettle stands, dumb waiters and tea boards."

Attention is called to the sewing table. Diversion was afforded, even for women of wealth, in handwork and sewing, and which made the sewing table a piece of importance. Women of all classes took pride in their work. "In the country life of America there are many moments when a woman can have recourse to nothing but her needle," Thomas Jefferson wisely observed, urging his daughter in Paris to perfect herself further in the use of it before her return to Albemarle County. The influence of Chippendale, Hepplewhite and Sheraton and the Empire is seen in the workmanship of these small, Southern tables, and collectors have long been in the field searching out types.

PLATES

PLATE I. Top—Sawbuck or X-Frame Table—Walnut. (North Carolina—c. 1700). This table possesses decorative possibilities that a good joiner could easily have made the most of. The piece shows a decided Pennsylvania German influence. This table is in itself of German design, originating from the earliest type of cross-leg table, and is essentially from the German Gothic of the sixteenth century. This table is rarely found made entirely of walnut. (Property of Ralph P. Hanes).

PLATE I. Bottom—Drop-Leaf Stretcher Table—Walnut. (North Carolina—c. 1700). Another North Carolina table of a rare type, showing slides to support the leaves. The turnings on this table are to be noted. They have the heavy bulbous parts of the leg placed in opposition to the general rule. This has been found to be true on the majority of tables throughout the states below Virginia. Whether this is a distinguishing mark, by which tables made in a certain section may be identified, I cannot say. It sets the work apart as being Southern made. (Property of Ralph P. Hanes).

PLATE II. Top—Queen Anne Tea Table—Walnut. (North Carolina—c. 1730-1750). A tea table of fine proportion and gracefully scrolled apron, and with finely shaped cabriole legs. Although the table illustrated is an excellent one, four-leg tables are found throughout the Southern states—rarely however of this quality. This table has the indented corner top.

PLATE II. Bottom—Queen Anne Dish-Top Tea Table—Walnut. (North Carolina—c. 1730-1750). This charming dish-top table, although not embellished with carving, has exceedingly graceful lines. It is unquestionably a tea table, showing the raised rim, to prevent dishes from sliding off. The general effect of this table may be secured by applying a rim to a plain table. With fakers at work already, according to the plan, in buying it would be well to make certain that the dished effect, or rim, is cut from the solid wood, rather than applied. (Property of Mrs. J. L. Brockwell).

PLATE III. Top—Oval Top Splay-Leg Table—Walnut. (Virginia—c. 1720-1740). This table, with the canted legs, is often called a tavern table. The example shown is a fine specimen. The feet are very similar to the modified type of Spanish foot found on the many Pennsylvania pieces known as the drake foot. The ogee scroll, noticeable in the apron of this table, is a decorative feature used by skilled cabinetmakers in this period. (Property of Joe Kindig, Jr.).

PLATE III. Bottom—Claw-and-Ball Foot Table—Walnut. (Virginia—c. 1750-1780). This table resembles the one shown at the top, but of a later date and lighter construction, with a gracefully scrolled apron. (Property of J. Pope Nash).

PLATE IV. Chippendale Pie-Crust Table—Walnut. (Virginia—c. 1760-1770). The Chippendale pie-crust table is an unusually popular type. Because of its early appeal to collectors, it is now very rare. Particular attention is called to the rim of this table, since the moulding seems to have been planed down. As a rule, this type of table has a raised moulding carved from the solid wood; but the owner is authority for the statement that he has had three with rims similar to this one, and that all came from the same section. The table within itself is a unique type. In seeking to discover whether or not the tops of tables of this type are original, the shrinkage of the wood may be taken into consideration, as that, as time wears on, causes a table top to be slightly shorter in diameter opposite the grain than across the diameter with the grain. (Property of J. K. Beard).

PLATE V. Top—Chippendale Pie-Crust Table—Mahogany. (Virginia—c. 1760-1775). Pie-crust tables bought out of the South, have been said by Mr. Kindig to have shorter scallops in the rim than the Philadelphia type; and the majority of them to have a turned column in the shape of the one shown. The number of English tables brought into this country in the last few years is so fast overwhelming the American product that a study of this type, from the standpoint of American workmanship, will shortly be out of the question. (Property of Joe Kindig, Jr.).

PLATE V. Bottom—Chippendale Pembroke Table—Mahogany. (North Carolina—c. 1770-1790). A late Pemboke-style table with Chippendale characteristics, and a rare type, having the cross stretchers and bowed ends. Tables of this style and period are found with serpentine-shaped ends and shaped drop-leaves. (Property of Miss Elizabeth Thompson).

PLATE VI. Top—Hepplewhite Pembroke Table—Mahogany. (South Carolina—c. 1790). This finely inlaid Pembroke table, with the oval top and bowed ends, shows the Hepplewhite influence. This type is about forty inches in length with leaves up, and was probably used as a supper or breakfast table. It is a very popular type, and was made in quantities throughout the South, with varying degrees of workmanship employed, and with straight ends and various shaped tops. More tables of this type are found here than in any other section of the colonies. (Property of Mrs. M. A. Robbins).

PLATE VI. Bottom—Hepplewhite Pembroke Table—Mahogany. (Maryland—c. 1790). Another table of the same description as the piece shown at the top, with the leaves down, by way of presenting the shape to better advantage. The bellflower is worked out in finer design in this than in the top table. As many as thirteen bellflowers, inlaid on the legs of such tables, have been seen. (Property of J. K. Beard).

PLATE VII. Queen Anne Corner Card Tables—Walnut. (Maryland—c. 1730-1750). The triangular form of these tables made them convenient to place in a corner, gave them their name, and made them popular. A pair of tables of this type could also be placed together to make a larger table. Tables of this type are rare, particularly in pairs. All card tables are sought after in pairs. (Property of Francis D. Brinton).

PLATE VIII. Top—Chippendale Card Table—Mahogany. (Maryland—c. 1770-1790). This table is labeled "John Shaw of Annapolis." There is some question over labeled Shaw pieces, as he was also an importer, but such a table as this could easily have been made by him. (Property of Mrs. Miles White).

PLATE VIII. Bottom—Chippendale Claw-and-Ball-Foot Card Table—Mahogany. (South Carolina—c. 1760-1780). The carving on the knees of this claw-and-ball-foot table is very good, and the carving around the skirt is an excellent feature. Such tables are scarce, but many English tables of this type have been imported, at the period this was made, and at the present time.

PLATE IX. Chippendale Card Table—Mahogany. (North Carolina—c. 1780). This card table shows where the workman was influenced by the designs of Chippendale and Hepplewhite. The square, chamfered legs, the serpentine shape, and the carved corner brackets show the influence of Chippendale, while the general light construction and the inlay indicate the designs of Hepplewhite. (Property of Joe Kindig, Jr.).

PLATE X. Top—Hepplewhite Card Table—Mahogany. (South Carolina—c. 1785-1795). A half-round table showing the inlay as explained in Chapter XII, Plate VI. One of a pair of finely made tables with the bellflower. Half-moon tables are found in quantity all over the South. (Property of J. K. Beard).

PLATE X. Bottom—Hepplewhite Card Table—Mahogany. (Virginia—c. 1785-1795). The five-leg construction is a feature to be noted on Southern card tables. The eagle inlaid furniture, made in every part of the United States, is much sought after. The eagle was a popular motif from 1775 to 1820, as Empire pieces also carried it. Patriotism in America is said to have reached its height following the War of 1812, and the eagle decoration was most popular at this time. (Property of J. K. Beard).

PLATE XI. Top—Sheraton Card Table—Mahogany and Maple. (South Carolina—c. 1800). Here bird's-eye and curly maple have been used on the skirt of this Sheraton card table. The heavy reeding on Southern pieces does not always indicate a late date. The shape of this table is unusual, with the serpentine center. It was found in the vicinity of Greenwood, where a number of pieces of the Sheraton period have been found having bird's-eye maple as a veneer. (Property of Joe Kindig, Jr.).

PLATE XI. Bottom—Sheraton Card Table—Mahogany. (Maryland—c. 1800). A nicely inlaid table of fine proportion and workmanship. The delicate, reeded legs are a fine feature of this type table. Tables of this shape are often found, but rarely with inlay and such delicate legs. (Property of Mrs. Fred Sampson).

PLATE XII. Empire Card Tables—Mahogany. (Maryland—c. 1820). Two card tables of the Empire period, influenced in style by the late Sheraton designs. These resemble tables made by Duncan Phyfe, but in the known examples of Phyfe's work the legs have a downward curve starting at the pedestal. The top table has better lines, and the bottom table has finer carving.

PLATE XIII. Top—Tavern Table—Walnut. (Virginia—c. 1690-1700). This small tavern table, from a distant day, comes to us in its original condition, and is of marked interest. A fine table of this type in such quality as this possesses, is very rare. Many are found throughout the South, showing a different variety of turnings, but seldom like this. It may have had a larger top. (Property of Mrs. E. M. Crutchfield).

PLATE XIII. Bottom—Stretcher Table—Walnut. (Virginia—c. 1710-1730). This stretcher table, in walnut, shows a little more elaborate construction than that at the top of the page with the turned stretchers and drawer. Delicately turned tables of this type are seldom found today, but many were shown in inventories of that period. One plantation owner in Virginia possessed as many as twenty-three small tables. This number may have included candle stands, as every room had to be supplied with light, and two or more tables were needed in each. Many stretcher tables were made, but few have survived. (Property of Mrs. J. G. Hayes).

PLATE XIV. Top—Windsor-Type Table—Walnut. (Virginia—c. 1770-1790). A turned table of rare style, with turnings resembling the Windsor chair. (Property of Carroll H. Fowlkes).

PLATE XIV. Right—Drop-Leaf Stretcher Table—Pine. (North Carolina—c. 1700-1730). The stretcher with a drop-leaf is shown here. Although larger, it has the characteristics of the butterfly table. The plainly turned legs, which are vertical and not slanted, are unusual, as is the bracket which holds the leaf. The square brace, which holds up the leaf when open, fits into the frame beneath when closed. (Property of Mrs. E. M. Crutchfield).

PLATE XIV. Left—Chippendale Mixing Table—Walnut. (Virginia—c. 1760-1780). This table shows a soapstone top. It was used, without doubt, for the mixing of drinks, a popular pastime of the period; but the soapstone top may have been supplied with the idea of saving the surface or the top from the heat of hot dishes placed upon it. (Property of J. Pope Nash).

PLATE XIV. Bottom—Stretcher Table—Cherry. (North Carolina—c. 1710-1740). This stretcher table, made of cherry, shows heavy turnings for a table of its age. The piece was found in the vicinity of Salem, but represents a period antecedent to that in which the Moravians arrived there. (Property of Ralph P. Hanes).

PLATE XV. Top—Queen Anne Side Table—Walnut. (Virginia—c. 1720-1750). A fine table of graceful proportion, and beautifully shaped legs. It is so fashioned that it could be used either as a side table or as a dressing table, although dressing tables, as a rule, have more drawer space. Many more crudely made tables of this type are found throughout the South, but examples like the illustration are rare. The corners are indented. (Property of J. F. Geisinger).

PLATE XV. Bottom—Chippendale Side Table—Walnut. (Georgia—c. 1750-1770). This table, with the thumbprint leg and scrolled brackets, is an excellent example of the Chippendale period. The scrolled apron adds a very decorative effect. (Property of Mrs. Fred Sampson).

PLATE XVI. Top—Hepplewhite Serpentine Side or Dressing Table—Mahogany. (Virginia—c. 1780-1800). A fine table with shaped front. (Property of Carroll H. Fowlkes).

PLATE XVI. Bottom—Sheraton Dressing Table—Mahogany. (North Carolina—c. 1790-1810). Although with the tapered inlaid legs, this piece, as indicated by the pulls and the reeded edge of the top, is of the Sheraton period. It is the first of its type to come within the line of this study. It is evident that it was made to be used for the purpose as stated; but such pieces as this are unique, and it serves the average collector to poor purpose to search for them, except that his searchings may lead to some other type equally unique. The dressing tables, produced in cabinetmaking centers, with lifting top enclosing a mirror and numerous compartments, which are gems of a craftsman's art, are rarely found today. (Property of Ralph P. Hanes).

PLATE XVII. Top—Hepplewhite Card or Side Table—Walnut. (North Carolina—c. 1790-1800). Ingenious construction is shown in this table having five legs of a very unique design, the fifth leg folding behind one of the other. The flap top and fifth leg appear as if an afterthought on the part of the maker. The drawers in this type of table are unusual. Attention is called to the design in the inlay made in the manner described in Chapter XII. Tables without the flap top and extra leg of this type are found throughout the Southern states, with varying degrees of elaboration by use of inlay. (Property of Mrs. A. G. Ryland).

PLATE XVII. Bottom—Hepplewhite Stand—Walnut. (North Carolina—c. 1790-1800). Small stands in great quantity are found throughout the South in this shape. The use of the single bellflower is to be noted, as used on all types of Southern-made furniture. Found in Mecklenburg County, where several tables with this inlay have been found. (Property of Mrs. Robert M. Pulliam).

PLATE XVIII. Hepplewhite Mixing Table—Walnut. (Virginia—c. 1790). This piece was found in the Valley of Virginia. The vine inlay displayed in the legs is typical of the influence of the Dutch and German craftsmen who worked there. This type of inlay is found on furniture made in this period in the Shenandoah Valley. On account of this table having a slate top, it is thought to have been used for mixing purposes, presumably for liquor, although there is no partitioning for bottles. (Property of Charles Watkins).

PLATE XIX. Top—Sheraton Sewing Table—Curly Maple. (Virginia—c. 1800). A finely made sewing table of nicely figured wood, showing a type seldom seen in the South. If fashioned in the South, it was done by one who knew the use of curly maple; and this is likely, as the wood, at the beginning of the nineteenth century had come into demand, due to the importation of Northern products into the South. (Property of W. S. Ahern).

PLATE XIX. Bottom—Sheraton Sewing Table—Mahogany. (South Carolina—c. 1800). This Sheraton table was made in the style used by Duncan Phyfe, of New York. The veneering and carving on this table are of the highest quality. The reeding resembles tambour work. The compartments inside the lid, which lifts up, are of satinwood. (Property of Mrs. R. G. Cabell).

PLATE XX. Candle Stand and Sewing Tables—Curly Maple and Red Cherry. (North Carolina—c. 1825). This candle stand is of Hepplewhite design, of a popular type, and made later than the period. The stands were made about the same time by Jacob Siewers, who worked in Salem from 1820 to 1850, and employed a number of cabinetmakers in his shop. The owners of the pieces are the granddaughters of Jacob Siewers. (Property of the Misses Pfhol).

PLATE XXI. Top—Queen Anne Folding Table—Walnut. (South Carolina—c. 1720-1750). A table that folds, and when closed is about three inches in depth. It is a unique piece with legs rather crudely shaped. (Property of Mrs. Gabriel Cannon).

PLATE XXI. Left Center—Queen Anne Candle Stands—Walnut. (c. 1740-1780). Two stands of a type found throughout the South, made over a period of about fifty years.

PLATE XXI. Right Center—Hepplewhite Candle Stand—Mahogany. (c. 1780-1810). A popular type made in the Hepplewhite and Sheraton periods throughout the South.

PLATE XXI. Lower Left—Empire Candle Stand—Mahogany. (South Carolina—c. 1810-1820). An elaborately carved stand with the lion's-paw feet and carved pedestal. (Property of Mrs. Gabriel Cannon).

PLATE XXI. Lower Right—Queen Anne Table—Mahogany. (Virginia—c. 1730-1750). A type used for breakfast or supper tables, and rarely found in mahogany. (Property of Mrs. G. Edmond Massie).