Page:Southern Antiques - Burroughs - 1931.djvu/76

52   having the brass lion's-paw feet. The later Empire, about 1825, produced pieces that were extremely heavy, often showing over-ornamentation.

PLATE I. . (Virginia—c. 1700). This type of the sliding gate-leg table of Southern origin is very rare, and one that has not been given the recognition due it. The turnings resemble many of the swinging gate-leg types found throughout the South. Two of them have been found in the same section. No others are known to exist. If this was imported into the South from elsewhere in the colonies, the imputation is that there should be others known. Although of more fragile construction than the swinging gate-leg, it has considerable merit of design. (Photograph, courtesy of Mrs. J. L. Brockwell).

PLATE II. . (c. all about 1700). Large tables likely used as dining tables. Top—A fine, heavily turned gate-leg, one of the finest found in the South. Right—The table shows peculiar turnings of the bell-and-trumpet type, found on early highboys. Three of these tables with same turnings have found their way into the hands of one dealer. Left—The table shown here is with turnings of a design of which many are found. As shown, the feet are missing. Bottom—This table is very close in approach to the "Bobbin"-turned English table. Its construction is of native fruit wood.

PLATE III. . (North Carolina—c. 1710-1740). This, the first of the three-section type of table, is very rare, and its age speaks for itself. It is thought to have originated in central North Carolina. Three are definitely known to have been found in Mecklenburg County, and the type is rarely found anywhere else in the Southern states. The extreme rarity of the type may account for this. Parts of such types are often found, but one complete is rarely heard of.

PLATE IV. . (North Carolina—c. 1760-1770). This table may have been part of a two- or three-section table, but as such tables are sometimes found with round leaves, it could well be a dining table complete in itself. Attention is called to the crosspiece that is shown underneath the table, exposed by the swinging leg. The wide grain of Southern pine is almost visible in this plate. Oak is sometimes used for such constructions, but the finding of Southern pine in the construction substantiates Southern origin. (Property of Mrs. Paul Chatham).

PLATE V. . (South Carolina—c. 1780). Here is shown a late Chippendale dining table with square legs, not tapered, and a six-leg center. This type of table when closed, shows three legs on the ends of the center sections. The center leg is stationary, and two legs swing to support two leaves from each side. These tables are sometimes exceptionally wide,