Tripod Table of Mid-Eighteenth Century - A Georgian Mahogany Dumb Waiter - A Papier-Mache Tea Table - Early Nineteenth Century Tripod Table
Tripod Table of Mid-Eighteenth Century - A Georgian Mahogany Dumb Waiter - A Papier-Mache Tea Table - Early Nineteenth Century Tripod Table
The tripod table is not strictly speaking derived from the candle stand in our illustration above, but it is possible to trace the influences derived from it. This stand, c.1670, is of walnut, and was made originally for
holding a light. The octagonal top has a moulding round it which is typical of the late seventeenth and early eighteenth century walnut period, and the twist turned stem represents a high degree of technical accomplishment.
A mahogany tripod of mid-eighteenth century c.1750. The top is dished to give the rim around it, and the plain column is of pleasing simplicity. The mahogany used is of the heavy Cuban variety, very dark in colour.
Note the development of the height of the legs, becoming bolder.
A Chippendale style mahogany tripod table, c.1760. The top shows the `pic-crust’ edging which requires a high degree of craftsmanship, since the whole top is made in one piece. The stem is fluted down to the carved bulbous vase and the legs, with shell and pendant decoration on the knee, end in ball and claw feet. Note the scroll on the inside of the knee of the leg. One of the most ornate and decorated examples of this type.
A walnut stand of the early eighteenth century. The octagonal top ,again has the moulded edge of the period and is veneered in figured walnut base of the stand is now lifted off the floor by the three curved feet of
square section.
A Mahogany tripod table of c.1760 with a ‘bird-cage’ gallery beneath the top. The pillar is a fine simple form and the bold set of the legs is typical of the better and earlier Georgian tripods. The use of the gallery
construction ensures that the top can both tip up when not in use, and yet revolve when in the position shown. A wedge locks the top and gallery to the column, so that the removal of this wedge enables the whole top to be lifted off the base.
The best quality pieces have a top made from a single piece which preferably is dished to leave a moulded or ‘pie-crust’ carved edge (see Reference No. TT1383). The example above has a plain top but made from a
single beautifully figured piece of mahogany. Originally used for tea or supper and for setting out the new china tea services.
Another tripod mahogany table of c.1790, with similar stem, but the legs now flattening in curve slightly. The rounded curves are modified by the chamfered edges and more pointed design.
Tripod table of c.1790, with baluster turned stem and chamfered legs.
Tripod mahogany table, c.1790, of larger dimensions the top approximately two feet, nine inches in diameter. Note the spirally fluted vase at the base of the tapering column stem. Until recently these were more difficult to sell, being too large for occasional or wine table use. Now they are rising in price and being used as tea tables or small dining tables.
A Georgian mahogany dumb waiter of c.1770, with finely crusted carved edge to each tier, and well-balanced pillar and vase shapes to the stem. Note the casters under the feet; a feature often found on dumb waiters
since they were, of course, designed for movement like Canterburys.
Typical eighteenth century tripod table in mahogany, probably dating from 1760 - 80. The legs have now become almost aggressively higher and bolder in curve. The tapering column has the bulbous vase at the base.
Late Georgian mahogany dumb waiter of c.1790, in which the upper tiers are of the folding flap type. Dumb waiters were used from the early eighteenth century onwards and were generally placed near a table so that
guests could help themselves without the need for servants to stand in attendance. Sheraton includes them in his Cabinet Dictionary but the designs are rather complicated.
Value points: Elegance of tripod base
Fruitwood tripod table, twenty-seven inches in diameter, c.1800. Note the rather abbreviated feet and the fact that it has been necessary to use several planks to make the top, due to the lack of width in fruitwood
trees.
Early nineteenth century country tripod table in mahogany, c.1820. The legs are in the reverse type of curve, but the stem shows the rather bulbous turning that heralds the Victorian period.
Early nineteenth century tripod table with rectangular top, c.1840, of a type expanded in size to produce a breakfast table. This smaller size could be used as a supper table and, being of the tip-up type, was useful in smaller rooms. The wood is generally mahogany and the legs and stem exhibit the same characteristics as dining tables of the period.
Yew wood tripod table, c.1800. The legs are better proportioned than the fruitwood example, although they show the steep outer curve of the later period. The top again is several planks, but yew is a wood which is
always more highly valued.
mahogany of c.1840, with hexagonal column. The top is A
veneered in plain mahogany on pine, but the column is solid. The tripod base has now become a flat one like others of the period, without legs and raised on turned knob feet.
A papier-mache tea table of c.1850, japanned and painted and with mother of pearl inlay. The baluster turning of the column is fairly typical and although this example has taken a list to starboard, some idea of the decorative value can be obtained. The outer painted decoration and that on the column and base, now faded, were originally gilt.
A cricket table. There are various theories as to why they are so-called, but it is most probable that they were used in village pubs on the green, where one could sit watching the game. They were made in oak or elm, from the eighteenth century onwards.
Later nineteenth century version of the tripod table c.1860. The tripod legs have actually vanished and all that remains is the triangular shaped flat base with its three turned feet. The stem is now thoroughly overturned with far too many bulbs and vases.