by Carl Maples
This type table had a long production run, but based on the original having an early 19th century brass catch, I’m calling it Federal. I’ve also seen it described as Chippendale/ George III. The original plans are of a “Candle Stand”. I scaled up the drawings slightly to produce 2 tables strong enough to be used as end tables or occasional tables. I modified the design of the pillar and cabriole legs to get what I thought would be a more attractive design. The legs are attached to the pillar with tapered dovetails, and the hinge block is attached to the pillar with a double tenon which I’ve seen on other tables from that period. The scalloped edge moulding on the table was made first with straight runs with a #14 Round Plane, then the 6-1/2” radius circles, 3/4” deep curves were sawed out. The curved sections of the edge moulding were carved with a #7 - 20mm gouge. Except for the initial cutting out of parts, the tables were constructed with hand tools. Hardware: The brass table top catches were purchased from Paxton Hardware, Upper Falls MD. Plans: The plans come from Colonial Furniture, Millar, Donald; Architectural Book Publishing Co. Inc. N.Y./N.Y. 1925, Plate 3