A table is an item of furniture with a raised flat top and is supported most commonly by 1 to 4 legs (although some can have more). It is used as a surface for working at, eating from or on which to place things.[1][2] Some common types of tables are the dining room tables, which are used for seated persons to eat meals; the coffee table, which is a low table used in living rooms to display items or serve refreshments; and the bedside table, which is commonly used to place an alarm clock and a lamp. There are also a range of specialized types of tables, such as drafting tables, used for doing architectural drawings, and sewing tables.
Common design elements include:
Etymology
The word table is derived from Old Englishtabele, derived from the Latin word tabula ('a board, plank, flat top piece'), which replaced the Old English bord;[3] its current spelling reflects the influence of the Frenchtable.
tables are designed to be used for formal dining.
Dining room
, nightstands, or night tables are small tables used in a bedroom. They are often used for convenient placement of a small lamp, alarm clock, glasses, or other personal items.
Bedside tables
have a fixed section in the middle and a hinged section (leaf) on either side that can be folded down.
Drop-leaf tables
have one or two hinged leaves supported by hinged legs.
Gateleg tables
are low tables designed for use in a living room, in front of a sofa, for convenient placement of drinks, books, or other personal items.
Coffee tables
are long tables designed to seat many people for meals.
Refectory tables
usually have a top that can be tilted for making a large or technical drawing. They may also have a ruler or similar element integrated.
Drafting tables
are sturdy tables, often elevated for use with a high stool or while standing, which are used for assembly, repairs, or other precision handwork.
Workbenches
are a set of small tables of graduated size that can be stacked together,[9] each fitting within the one immediately larger. They are for occasional use (such as a tea party), hence the stackable design.
Nested tables
Tables of various shapes, heights, and sizes are designed for specific uses:
were very popular in the 18th and 19th centuries as candlestands, tea tables, or small dining tables, although they were originally made for the popular card game loo or lanterloo. Their typically round or oval tops have a tilting mechanism, which enables them to be stored out of the way (e.g. in room corners) when not in use. A further development in this direction was the "birdcage" table, the top of which could both revolve and tilt.
Chess table
Loo tables
Pembroke tables, first introduced during the 18th century, were popular throughout the 19th century. Their main characteristic was a rectangular or oval top with folding or on each side. Most examples have one or more drawers and four legs, sometimes connected by stretchers. Their design meant they could easily be stored or moved about and conveniently opened for serving tea, dining, writing, or other occasional uses. One account attributes the design of the Pembroke table to Henry Herbert, 9th Earl of Pembroke (1693-1751).[10]
drop leaves
Historically, various types of tables have become popular for specific uses:
Single pedestal
Small single pedestal
Dropleaf single pedestal
Oval single pedestal
Multiple pedestal
Kenny, Peter M.; Brown, Michael K.; Bretter, Frances F.; Thurlow, Matthew A. (2011). . New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art. ISBN9780300155112.
