Another table of the same sort, but of a little later date, is shown in Figure 702 and is the property of Mr. H. W. Erving, of Hartford. The turning is of the vase, ring, and bulb pattern.

It is probable that such tables as these and the small table shown later are such as were referred to at Salem, in 1684, as "a table with a drawer"; at Philadelphia, in 1686, as "1 table with a drawer, 6s"; at Boston, in 1709, as "a square table, 2s." In fact, there was hardly an inventory that did not contain an entry of at least one table of small valuation, called "small," "square," or "short."

Turned Table, last quarter seventeenth century.

It is believed that the small tables above shown were intended to be used to write upon or as dressing-tables.

Figure 703 shows another form of the oval table. The legs are braced at the end and through the centre. The peculiarity about this piece is that the turning of the legs is in the vase-and-ring pattern and the stretchers are in the knob-turning instead of being the same as the legs. There is one drawer on bottom runners. This table is the property of the writer.

Figure 704 shows one of these tables with the legs and stretchers unusually well turned in the vase, ring, and bulb pattern. The top is made in the usual way with a grooved and tongued piece across the ends nailed on. This table is the property of Miss C. M. Traver, of New York.

Figure 703. Turned Table, about 1700.

Turned Table, about 1700.

Figure 705 shows a table with a hexagonal top within which is placed a slate. The inlaid border (Figure 706), it will be seen, is in the same form as that shown on the dressing-table (Figure 63), at which place the reader will find a discussion of the slate tables. The legs and stretchers are turned in the usual manner. This table is the property of the American Antiquarian Society of Worcester.

Turned Table, last quarter seventeenth century.

Figure 707 shows a three-legged table with three leaves and a triangular centre. The top turns, thus supporting the leaves by the corners of the frame. The legs are turned in the usual manner and are strengthened with straight stretchers. This table is in the Bolles Collection. Tripod tables with solid tops are not uncommon, but those with leaves are rare.

Figure 708 shows an oval table in the Erving Collection, with raked legs and turned stretchers at the ends and through the centre. The skirt is cut in a double cyma curve so popular in the period. The turnings are a little unusual, with three rings at the centre.

Figure 706. Top of foregoing table.

Figure 707. Three-Legged Table, about 1700.

Figure 708. Turned Table, about 1700.

Two similar tables from the Bolles Collection are shown in Figure 709. They both have the raked legs and plain straight stretchers. The skirt of the first one is cut in a series of cyma curves and the second in a double cyma curve. The tops of both are oval.

Figure 709. Two Turned Tables, 1700-10.

Candle-Stand, about 1700.

Figure 711. Tripod Candle-Stand, first quarter eighteenth century.

Figure 710 shows an early form of pillar stand with four legs. The legs are turned, heavily raked, and braced at the ends and through the centre with turned stretchers. The top is round. This stand is the property of Mr. H. W. Erving, of Hartford.

Figure 711 shows a tripod candle-stand, the property of Mr. Dwight M. Prouty, of Boston. The round stand is held by a long screw pole which enables one to raise it to any desired height.

An interesting tea-table is shown in Figure 712. The legs are cut and turned similar to the dressing-tables, commonly called low-boys, except that they are in one piece instead of having the ball feet separate, and the X stretcher is mortised into the legs instead of joining the legs and ball feet. The skirt is cut in the early half-round shape, and at the centre of the front is an enormous drop as large as the legs themselves. There is one drawer which has a single-arch moulding about it and early hollow drop handles. A rim extends about the surface of the top and within are set delft tiles. This piece is in the Bolles Collection.

Figure 712. Tea-Table with tile top, 1690-1700.

Another table in the same collection is shown in Figure 713. The turnings and cross-bracings show it to be contemporaneous with the six-legged high chest of drawers. The ball feet are separated from the legs in the usual manner by the stretchers instead of being mortised into the legs as in the last figure. The top is octagon, with a slate, and has an inlaid edge, as shown in Figure 706.

Figure 713. Slate-Top Table, last quarter seventeenth century.