Antique Furniture 101

Here’s a reference guide of some popular antique furniture itmes you might have come across but were unsure of what they actually were.

Drop leaf table

It is a two-flap table with sides that can be extended with under-stretchers.

Dumb waiter

Designed to hold plates, desserts and/or cutlery, this type of furniture has a central shaft and circular trays. Older versions featured detachable circular trays. Dumb waiters were used in the salon or dining room for serving guests.

Gate-leg Table

A two-flap table with a two hinged legs that when extended raise the sides.

Highboy

Often called a chest-on-stand, a high boy is a chest-of-drawers on a stand. They were found in the bedroom and designed for disassembly.

Ladder-back chair

It is a chair with a series of horizontal back-rails.

Lowboy

It is a small dressing table.

Nesting tables

It is a series of three or four tables that fit one beneath the other.

Pedestal desk

It is a flat desk often with a leather top that stands on two banks of drawers. It is finished on the front so that it can be displayed in an office or library.

Pembroke Table

It is a small two-flap table that can be used as a side table. The centre section is wider than the two fold down sides.

Secretary

It is a writing table with a bookcase on top and has a fall front that lets down to provide a writing surface. The interior has slots and small drawers for organization. It often has drawers below.

Slat back chair

It is a type of chair with vertical slats across the back.

Tallboy

Often called a chest-on-chest, a tall boy is simply two tall chests-of-drawers, one smaller chest on top of the other slightly larger chest.

Teapoy

It is a small piece of furniture designed to hold tea. It was used to serve in the salon or dining room. Tea was a valuable commodity so it warranted special presentation.

Whatnot

It is a small mobile piece of furniture with open shelves, often made of mahogany. It could be moved around easily for multiple purposes to hold bric-a-brac.