antique table from a Pembroke table to a sofa table
The antique pembroke table, is the forebear of the sofa table, was introduced in the mid 1700s and it was named after the Countess of Pembroke, who ordered the very first one. Pembroke Tables have rectangular, circular serpentine or oval tops, with flaps supported on small, hinged brackets under the leaves.
They were used for light meals such as breakfast and tea or as work tables. The antique sofa table which was a longer narrower type of the Pembroke table was designed to stand in front of a sofa and was used by ladies for writing drawing and reading. They were mainly made in mahogany but some exotic woods were also used.
Antique centre tables are similar to sofa tables, but they do not have the flaps at each end. Library tables tend to be very grad and expensive, the most elaborate versions have hinged tops for showing maps and prints they were beautiful pieces of antique furniture.
