English Oak and Mahogany Pembroke Tables
TABLES Pembroke
Named after the Countess of Pembroke, said to have been the first to order one. Antique Pembroke tables appeared about 1750 but really became popular around 1780. There are therefore some rare museum quality Pembroke tables in the Chippendale styles. They were considered to be a small useful table, with hinged wooden brackets to support the flaps, a drawer at one end and a mock drawer at the other, for symmetry. Used for many purposes, including writing, they were largely superseded by the pedestal table at the end of the eighteenth century. The Edwardians admired them and one must be watchful for period examples which they improved by adding marquetry or painting.
In satinwood with serpentine shaped flaps which, like the drawers, are cross-banded in kingwood. The inlaid shell on the top is generous in size, superb quality is emphasised by the ebonised edges and the gently curved apron below the drawer which compliments the shape of the flaps. Note the width of the original castors. c. 1790
Made in mahogany with the less popular turned and reeded legs, it is none the less very good quality. Note that the figured veneers on the flaps fan out to the edges to match the inlaid decoration. The flaps look even better down. c. 1795
A fine example in satinwood considered the top of the scale for Pembroke table-building with a broad inlaid band of purplewood and further crossbanding in kingwood. The shape of the flaps corresponds closely with that advocated by Sheraton c.1794. The square section tapering solid satinwood legs have collars at the ends and are mounted on brass castors. c.1795
Further down the quality scale, but still very desirable with its broad satinwood inlay and white wood edging. The front is bowed and the top of the legs inlaid with a diamond pattern. c. 1795
Well-chosen veneers with a black stringing line and cross-banded ends. A well-made table. c. 1795
Two variations of the plain solid mahogany variety which continued to be made well into the nineteenth century ‘honest brown mahogany’. The one on the left has Chippendale moulded legs and a small satinwood stringing line. On the right the most simple type. c. 1800
Tags: Antique, brass, chippendale, drawers, Edwardians, mahogany, marquetry, pedestal, pedestal table, PEMBROKE, pembroke table, satinwood, Sheraton