Design Variations of Early Antique Tables
On many early gateleg tables there was usually drawer, in the frieze. Small fold over tables of good quality can have three or more small drawers opening in the rounded face of a wide frieze but this is very unusual, most just have one central drawer. An unusual type of small table has a single central gate in the centre of the under frame, to support either a leaf on each side .
The appearance of tables can vary by the different decorative legs and stretchers. Some have plain bar supports which might be grooved, while some have baluster, bobbin, or spiral turning resulted and when they are worn with a rich patina over the years they look beautiful.
Carving on friezes and stretchers can be seen on early tables with fold over tops, but not on larger gateleg tables with fall flaps. Most of the 17th century gateleg tables were made in oak or elm, while the finest were made of walnut, cedar, yew.
On antique tables they reflect the new activities of the 18th century as middle classes started dining, tea drinking, and card playing, doing needlework and this can be seen in the different styles of antique tables.
The design of chairs changed through the years as by the end of Queen Anne period both tables and chairs were usually supported on cabriole legs without stretchers. The supports consisted of legs joined at right angles to sturdy rails, and tables had wooden knuckle hinges set into the central under frame.
The early tables had outward curves of the cabriole legs were carved acanthus leaves or lion masks, carved claw and ball feet.
The more country period antique furniture would have square and rectangular dropleaf tables standing on plain legs.
