Page:An Encyclopædia of Cottage, Farm, and Villa Architecture and Furniture.djvu/1070

 104-6 COTTAGE, FARM, AND VILLA AltCl-ilTLCTUllE. same objection to the front legs of figs. 1872 and 1873 being carved, and the back sup- ports being plain, that there is in the case of chairs; iot, because the sideboard is such a massive article as to be in effect a fixture, and tha back pillars are always at such a distance from the eye, and so concealed by the top, as not to be con- spicuous. Nevertheless, a little more ornament in the pillars referred to would be desirable. The scroll ornaments at the back of fig. 1871 are beau- tiful of themselves, but they are too conspicuous features in the composition, and aspire to being prin- cipal parts, instead of being accessories. Fig. 1868 is ornamented, and at the same time forms a harmonious whole, as does fig. 1869. We may observe that the plan of drawing out the front drawers in these sideboards without the aid of knobs, by avoiding the necessity of introducing these, adds much to the massive and architectural character of furniture. Fig. 1876 is handsome, rich, and harmonious. Fig. 1877 is elegant : we say elegant, because the supports, relatively to those in fig. 1876, and to those of tables for dining-rooms generally, according to the modern taste, are light; and the forms indicate great play of outline, and of light and shade, and, thus conveying impressions analogous to motion, may be called graceful. 2084. Table-flap Cases. Figs. 1878 and 1879 are cases for holding the movable flaps of dining-tables. They may be made either of oak or mahogany, according to the ilnSX"T?TrTn''nT>M::ili;iiirn^ 187)* style of the furniture in the dining-room in which they are to be placed. They arc made open, in order not to exclude the air ; and there are thin slips nailed on the bottom, and under the top, between which the flaps slide in, and which keep them from rubbing against or touching each other, and admit at the same time of a current of air to pass between them. The price of fig. 1878 is about 50s.; of fig. 1879 from £7 to £12. In some cases, the flaps of tables are kept in the upper drawer of the sideboard, the front of which falls down to allow them to be taken in and out ; and there are slips on the sides, to keep the flaps apart. There ought also to be a concealed opening, the whole length of the front, at the bottom of the drawer, for the .Tdniission of air ; and