Pembroke tables were widely popular from the middle of the eighteenth century. Their folding flaps allowed a small table that might be used for eating breakfast or taking tea, to be placed neatly against the wall when not in use. They must have been of particular use in London town houses, where space was often relatively cramped in the new terrace houses that were built in large numbers. Only a few of the most wealthy had access to the large entertaining spaces of houses in Piccadilly or in Mayfair. This table uses the dramatic contrast between dark mahogany and golden satinwood to good effect.