Antique Gothic Stands and Tables
GOTHIC STANDS AND TABLES Before about 1500
Refectory table, late-15thC.
Ancient civilizations provide prototypes for later models, e.g. Egyptian gaming tables have tops inlaid with squares for a game like chess, on bull or lion legs. Ancient Greeks have small, round table on three legs with hoof feet; Romans have large marble serving-tables on end supports carved as winged lions.
Romanesque: In hall of medieval castle, dining-tables with loose tops on trestle supports, dismantled after meal. Also, in 9th-10thC, semi-circular dining-tables with curtains hung from rails.
Gothic: Tables on trestles of various types (see CONSTRUCTION), also type with central support on platform base, late 15thC – early examples no longer extant, but type reemerges early 19thC.
Ancient world: By 1500 BC, Egypt is using native and imported timbers, ivory, bone, faience and semi-precious stones for inlay. Greeks and Romans use wood, marble, bronze.
Medieval (Romanesque-Gothic): Cypress south of Alps; walnut in Italy, Spain, France, Germany; oak in Low Countries, France, Germany. Local stone, iron.
Mortise-and-tenon, dovetail, mitre joints
mastered by Egyptians. Greeks add lathe and plane to range of tools. Bronze casting perfected by Etruscans. Medieval side-table (table dormante) has vertical legs tied by stretchers. Dining-tables have removable tops on trestles, some A-shaped, mortised or nailed together; some X-shaped using halving joint; some columnar with cruciform bases, also using halving joint.
Ancient world uses carving, inlay, veneering, painting, decorative features cast in silver, bronze. Many skills lost in West after fall of Rome, some preserved in Byzantine Empire.
Medieval: Mainly carving, painting.
Painting.
Ancient tables for museums only. Late Gothic examples, especially Germanic, appear on market but bring high prices.
FRAGMENTS
Fragments, e.g. carved ivory legs of Egyptian tables, sometimes appear at auction – interesting collectors’ pieces.
precious eternity white gold and
beautiful topaz ring in white
gold ring diamonds bianco18kt list
actual care roots for 24
earrings silver gold pendant grapolo
eternity white gold with diamonds
Tags: Antique, byzantine empire, decorative features, gaming tables, medieval castle, refectory, serving tables