Tea Table
1725-1750 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
The round table supported on three legs was fashionable from the mid-1720s to about 1770 and made in regional as well as metropolitan centres. The scalloped edge is also found on more elaborate examples with circular compartments, often embellished with inlay in brass and mother of pearl, associated with the German immigrant maker Frederick Hintz who worked in London in the 1730s.
Ownership & Use
The plain baluster (the pillar), legs and feet and also the lack of detailed carving suggest that this table was used by a merchant or professional rather than a member of the aristocracy.
Materials & Making
Mahogany began to be imported into Britain in significant amounts during the early 1720s. The source was the West Indies, in particular Jamaica. By 1721 the customs duty on Jamaican mahogany had been lifted. The best quality timbers were obtained from ports which had a direct trade with the West Indies, such as Bristol and Liverpool. Cabinet-makers welcomed the wood because of its strength and because it carved well. It was beautifully grained and coloured. Mahogany planks could be sawn wide enough to enable a large circular top for a table to be cut out in one piece.
The round table supported on three legs was fashionable from the mid-1720s to about 1770 and made in regional as well as metropolitan centres. The scalloped edge is also found on more elaborate examples with circular compartments, often embellished with inlay in brass and mother of pearl, associated with the German immigrant maker Frederick Hintz who worked in London in the 1730s.
Ownership & Use
The plain baluster (the pillar), legs and feet and also the lack of detailed carving suggest that this table was used by a merchant or professional rather than a member of the aristocracy.
Materials & Making
Mahogany began to be imported into Britain in significant amounts during the early 1720s. The source was the West Indies, in particular Jamaica. By 1721 the customs duty on Jamaican mahogany had been lifted. The best quality timbers were obtained from ports which had a direct trade with the West Indies, such as Bristol and Liverpool. Cabinet-makers welcomed the wood because of its strength and because it carved well. It was beautifully grained and coloured. Mahogany planks could be sawn wide enough to enable a large circular top for a table to be cut out in one piece.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Turned and carved mahogany |
| Dimensions |
|
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
The scalloped edge of this table suggests the circle of tea bowls and saucers that it would often have held. Tea was taken in the late afternoon, after dinner. It was an important social occasion, with the hostess herself serving her guests from an elegant table such as this, set with fine china and silver.(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | Given by Douglas Eyre, in memory of his parents, Henry Richard and Isabella Catherine Eyre |
| Object history | Made in Britain |
| Summary | Object Type The round table supported on three legs was fashionable from the mid-1720s to about 1770 and made in regional as well as metropolitan centres. The scalloped edge is also found on more elaborate examples with circular compartments, often embellished with inlay in brass and mother of pearl, associated with the German immigrant maker Frederick Hintz who worked in London in the 1730s. Ownership & Use The plain baluster (the pillar), legs and feet and also the lack of detailed carving suggest that this table was used by a merchant or professional rather than a member of the aristocracy. Materials & Making Mahogany began to be imported into Britain in significant amounts during the early 1720s. The source was the West Indies, in particular Jamaica. By 1721 the customs duty on Jamaican mahogany had been lifted. The best quality timbers were obtained from ports which had a direct trade with the West Indies, such as Bristol and Liverpool. Cabinet-makers welcomed the wood because of its strength and because it carved well. It was beautifully grained and coloured. Mahogany planks could be sawn wide enough to enable a large circular top for a table to be cut out in one piece. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.30-1922 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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