Figure 714 shows .a sample table in the Erving Collection, and, although the legs arc not turned in the cup or trumpet shapes, the cross-stretchers and the separate ball feet stamp it as belonging to the period of the six-legged high chest of drawers. The lower edge of the rail is well moulded and there is one drawer.

Figure 714. X-Braced Table, about 1700.

Card-Table, front view, 1690-1700.

Figure 715. Card-Table, back view, 1690-1700.

Figure 715 shows an interesting card-tahle both opened and closed. It is built in a half circle with four stationary legs and two which swing out to hold the leaf, a half circle which folds on the half attached to the table frame when not in use. The legs are turned in the cup shape found in the six-legged high chests of drawers and the stretchers are cut in cyma curves. The feet are scrolls. There are three drawers with double-arch moulding about them, and the skirt is cut in cyma curves with a round arch at the centre in the manner common in the period. The skirt at the back is also finished with the same curves. The top and sides are fine walnut veneer. This is the earliest example of a card-table that has been found in this country. It is the property of Mrs. Bosanko, of Hartford.

Figure 716. Hutch-Table, about 1700.

Figure 716 shows an interesting tilt-table of walnut in the writer's possession. The top is supported by planks of wood the edges of which are cut in double cyma curves. These sides are mortised into shoes upon which the piece stands. About the base are notched carvings similar to those found on desk-boxes and chests. The top tilts and discloses a small hutch which gives the piece its name, hutch-table.

Figure 717 shows a turned table, quite different from those heretofore shown, which strongly suggests the Dutch influence. The legs are similar to those shown on the scrutoire (Figure 249). The bracings on the ends and through the centre are similar to those found on many chairs. The corners are rounded. This piece belongs to Miss C. M. Traver, of New York.

It may be well to pause here at the end of the seventeenth century, which, as we have seen, marks the end of the oak period, to consider a number of kinds of tables mentioned in the inventories that we are unable to place among any of those already mentioned: at New York, in 1677, "4 Spanish tables 10s"; at Boston, in 1698, "a Jappan table," of what shape and style it is impossible to tell; at New York, in 1686, "2 speck tables"; in 1689, "a dansick table £1," meaning a table from that place, undoubtedly; at Philadelphia, in 1687, "1 inlaid table with a drawer and two stands damnified £1," which may have been a stone table with marquetry border; at New York, in 1702, "1 French table with balls thereunto belonging £3," probably referring to a billiard-table, for they had been invented as early as 1371 by a French artist, and may for that reason have been called French tables; also, in 1702, "a billyard table £3."

Figure 717. Turned Table, first quarter eighteenth century.

With the radical change in style which took place about 1700 came new forms of tables which still followed the fashion of the chairs of the period. The chief characteristics of the tables of this period are the cabriole legs and the use of the cyma curve. Turned tables doubtless continued to be made and used long after the new style came into vogue. The dining-tables of the period had usually two drop leaves which were supported by the swinging out of one or more legs on each side. Tables large enough to seat a family of ten or more are very rare. After the large oak tables were replaced by the gate-leg type, we find, with the exception of perhaps a dozen known examples, that few tables are large enough to accommodate more than eight persons, and the same is true of the period now under discussion. Great quantities of small tables, however, are found. There would seem to be one of two explanations for this: either that several of these tables would be put together, which, of course, would apply only to those having rectangular tops, or that more than one table was used.

Figure 718. Dining-Table with eight legs, second quarter eighteenth century.

One of the largest dining-tables of this period is shown in Figure 718 and is the property of Mr. H. W. Erving. There are four stationary cabriole legs at each end of the frame, and on each side two cabriole legs swing out to hold the leaf, making eight legs in all. When open, the top is large enough to seat ten or twelve people. The legs all terminate in Dutch feet.

Another example of a very large dining-table, owned by Yale University, is shown in Figure 719. It is of unusual construction in that the two legs at each end swing out to hold the leaves and one leg at either side at the centre is stationary. The six legs are cabriole and terminate in well-carved bird's claw and ball feet.

Figure 720 shows an example of the medium-size dining-table of the period, the property of Miss C. M. Traver, of New York. One leg at either end is stationary and the others swing out to hold the leaves. This is the common mode of construction of the vast majority of these tables. The legs are cabriole and terminate in hoot Dutch feet. The wood is maple.

Figure 719. Dining-Table with six legs, second quarter eighteenth century.

Figure 720. Drop-Leaf Table, second quarter eighteenth century.