Domino table thumbnail 1

Domino table

Domino Table
ca. 1907 (made), ca. 1907 (designed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
This table and chair are one of Charles Rennie Mackintosh's simplest and most practical designs for Miss Cranston's Glasgow tea rooms. The legs are formed by intersecting planks of oak which taper gently outwards at the bottom. A circular top and four lower shelves have been joined to the legs providing surfaces for refreshments and playing games.


The design was originally executed for the Argyle Street Tea Rooms. This particular example, however, came from the Ingram Street Tea Rooms. It is not known whether Mackintosh revived the design, probably around 1911, or whether in fact some of the tables were taken there when the Argyle Street rooms closed in 1920.

The top surface of the table was used for playing dominoes, a popular Glasgow pastime. The lower shelves held cups and plates and the unused dominoes of the four players.

Mackintosh often made use of the details of construction for decorative purposes. For example on this table, the exposed square tenons which attach the legs to the top form a simple geometric pattern adding interest to an otherwise plain surface.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleDomino table (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Stained oak
Brief description
Table designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh for Ingram Tea Room, manufactured by Francis and James Smith Ltd, stained oak, ca. 1907
Physical description
A circular topped oak table above quartered lower shelving, the four plank supports flaring at the base, separated by stretchers.
Dimensions
  • Height: 76.5cm
  • Base width: 41.5cm
  • Base depth: 40cm
  • Maximum, approx. diameter: 67cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 24/03/1999 by KL
Marks and inscriptions
4' handwritten on underside of drop in seat
Gallery label
(27/03/2003)
British Galleries:
Mackintosh designed some of his most original and complete buildings and interior decorative schemes for tea rooms in Glasgow owned by Kate Cranston. This table and chairs derive their decorative detail from the construction. Look for the pattern on the top of the table made by the square tenons where the legs join the top.
Credit line
Given by the Glasgow School of Art
Object history
This set probably commissioned from Mackintosh by Miss Kate Cranston for the Ingram Street Tea Rooms, Glasgow; table originally designed for the Argyle Street Tea Rooms, GlasgowDesigned by Charles Rennie Mackintosh (born in Glasgow, 1868, died in London, 1928); Manufactured by Francis and James Smith Ltd. in Glasgow.
Subjects depicted
Summary
Object Type
This table and chair are one of Charles Rennie Mackintosh's simplest and most practical designs for Miss Cranston's Glasgow tea rooms. The legs are formed by intersecting planks of oak which taper gently outwards at the bottom. A circular top and four lower shelves have been joined to the legs providing surfaces for refreshments and playing games.


The design was originally executed for the Argyle Street Tea Rooms. This particular example, however, came from the Ingram Street Tea Rooms. It is not known whether Mackintosh revived the design, probably around 1911, or whether in fact some of the tables were taken there when the Argyle Street rooms closed in 1920.

The top surface of the table was used for playing dominoes, a popular Glasgow pastime. The lower shelves held cups and plates and the unused dominoes of the four players.

Mackintosh often made use of the details of construction for decorative purposes. For example on this table, the exposed square tenons which attach the legs to the top form a simple geometric pattern adding interest to an otherwise plain surface.
Collection
Accession number
CIRC.129-1958

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Record createdMarch 27, 2003
Record URL
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