image of object
Photo: Courtesy Rhode Island Furniture Archive
Click the image to enlarge

Dining table

Object number

RIF624

Maker

Maker Unknown

Date

1760–80

Current location

Private Collection

Geography

Made in Rhode Island
(view a map of Rhode Island)

Medium

Maple (top, leaves, and hinged rails); yellow pine (stationary rails)

Marks

None

Inscriptions

None

Provenance

Mr. Sextant/Sexton, East Providence, Rhode Island; sold to Martha Freeman Nicholson (née Sayles, 1896–1947) and Paul Coe Nicholson (1888–1956), Providence and Bristol, Rhode Island; by descent in their family

Associated names

Mr. Sextant/Sexton
Paul C. Nicholson
Martha Freeman (Sayles) Nicholson

Construction

The top is secured by cross braces at each hinged leg end. The braces originally went through the rails. The hinged rail has a notch cutout to accommodate the brace. There is one glue block at each joint of the stationary rails and the side rails. Two half-blind dovetails fasten the stationary rails to the side rails. Stationary and hinged rails fastened together with rose-headed nails. The stationary rails are not full length. The hinged legs are rabbeted to fit under the corners of the short rails, which are straight on the underside. The hinge teeth are rounded and five in number. Two pins fasten each mortise and tenon frame joint. Examined by P. E. Kane, October 6, 2004.