Description:
Gate-leg table in walnut and white pine purportedly originally owned by Ruel Williams of Maine and with a history of ownership in the Bowdoin family. James Bowdoin III (1752-1811) was the ambassador to Spain under Jefferson and founder of Bowdoin College in Maine. It could have been owned in Boston by his father, James II (1726-1790), or even his grandfather James (1676-1747). Gate-leg tables, which were popular from the late seventeenth century through the first half of the eighteenth century, were made in a wide range of sizes and many regional variations of the form evolved, most differing in turned details. The gate-leg drop-leaf table was the predominent form of table for dining during the first quarter of the eighteenth century; they were practical in design and could occupy a narrow space when closed and pushed against a wall. The table has a drawer that runs the full width of the frame, and is supported on eight legs with balaster-and-ring turnings ending in ball feet, and a swinging gate on each end to support the legs. The table is of pegged mortise-and tenon construction throughout and still has the orignial finish, iron hinges, and hand wrought nails; the long drawer is joined with two large dovetails at each corner.
Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+1950 |
