Dining Table
Artist
Maker unknown
Date1825-1830
MediumMahogany, eastern white pine, cherry, white ash, gilding, brass
DimensionsOverall: 28 7/8 x 48 1/8 x 24 1/8in. (73.3 x 122.2 x 61.3cm)
Overall (Two Tables Joined): 28 7/8 × 48 1/8 × 96 1/8in. (73.3 × 122.2 × 244.2cm)
Overall (Two Tables Joined): 28 7/8 × 48 1/8 × 96 1/8in. (73.3 × 122.2 × 244.2cm)
ClassificationsFURNISHINGS
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Terms
Object number60.199.a-b
On View
On viewCollections
Copyright<a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width:0" src="https://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc/4.0/80x15.png" /></a><br />This work is licensed under a <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License</a>.
Label TextIn the early nineteenth century, as separate dining rooms became increasingly common, many rooms designated as dining rooms still continued to serve multiple purposes. Dining room and parlor functions, for example, were often interchangeable. When a family was not entertaining guests, informal meals were apt to be eaten in more intimate spaces such as the back parlor or sitting room.
This table consists of two matching parts that can be coupled to form an impressive, eight-foot-long extension table. The two halves of the table are joined by lifting the drop leaves and rotating them ninety degrees over the aprons to distribute the weight more evenly. When not used for dining, each half could be placed against a wall to function as a side table (see the other example on this riser). Casters allowed the separated table parts to be moved with ease.
