Vintage Furnishings 101 — Drop Leaf Table In Order To Whatnots
antique drop leaf dining table
Here’s a reference guide of some popular items you might have come across but were unsure of what they actually were.
Drop leaf table
It is a two-flap table with sides that can be extended with under-stretchers.
Dumb waiter
Designed to hold plates, desserts and/or cutlery, this type of furniture has a central shaft and circular trays. Older versions featured detachable circular trays. Dumb waiters were used in the salon or dining room for serving guests.
Gate-leg Table
A two-flap table with a two hinged legs that when extended raise the sides.
Highboy
Often called a chest-on-stand, a high boy is a chest-of-drawers on a stand. They were found in the bedroom and designed for disassembly.
Ladder-back chair
It is a chair with a series of horizontal back-rails.
Lowboy
It is a small dressing table.
It is a series of three or four tables that fit one beneath the other.
Pedestal desk
It is a flat desk often with a leather top that stands on two banks of drawers. It is finished on the front so that it can be displayed in an office or library.
Pembroke Table
It is a small two-flap table that can be used as a side table. The centre section is wider than the two fold down sides.
Secretary
It is a writing table with a bookcase on top and has a fall front that lets down to provide a writing surface. The interior has slots and small drawers for organization. It often has drawers below.
Slat back chair
It is a type of chair with vertical slats across the back.
Tallboy
Often called a chest-on-chest, a tall boy is simply two tall chests-of-drawers, one smaller chest on top of the other slightly larger chest.
Teapoy
It is a small piece of furniture designed to hold tea. It was used to serve in the salon or dining room. Tea was a valuable commodity so it warranted special presentation.
Whatnot
It is a small mobile piece of furniture with open shelves, often made of mahogany. It could be moved around easily for multiple purposes to hold bric-a-brac.
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A lifelong lover of all things old, Martin was born in Toronto, Ontario and spent time as a child in Malaysia. Martin learned to restore furniture when he was a teenager, did from a bidding home and owned an old-fashioned shop for 10 years. Martin is an appraisals specialist, conducts estate sales and enjoys sharing his vast knowledge through the courses his teaches and personal appearances. He has written for newspapers, magazines and over 40 of his articles on antiques have been reprinted in publications around the world. He’s hosted Let us Speak Collectibles, an internet radio plan on The VoiceAmerica Channel and he offers appeared being an collectibles expert on the number of television applications. Items from his shop have been featured in internationally recognized antiques expert Judith Miller’s Price Guide books. Age seven was a pivotal year for Martin. He was diagnosed with dyslexia, removed from the public school system and home schooled until he was accepted into one of Canada’s foremost universities. In that same year, Martin joined his parents in attending the legendary Woodstock concert. Martin product recalls that he happens to be thinking about things in the previous, so it is not surprising he graduated from the College associated with Toronto having a degree within The archaeology of gortyn. His personal areas of interest are Asian art, European furniture and the Arts & Crafts movement. Martin is an aficionado of early jazz music and is a skillful gardener. A proud member of the Clan Gordon, Martin is always eager to don this kilt. He lives in Toronto with his wife, Andrea. |
