A Mystery Table

One of the many enjoyable aspects of publishing this website is getting photographs and stories from collectors regarding a new discovery. That was the case when one of our readers sent me a series of pictures of a circular oak table he recently found.

The form is a classic Arts and Crafts design, but it has a couple of unique features which may enable someone to help us identify it.

 

As you can see, rather than being arched, the stretchers beneath the lower shelf have an unusual “cup” cutout on the top of the boards.

The top is made of quartersawn oak, but note the unusual leg configuration, wherein the legs are turned at an angle before being notched into the circular top and apron.

 

Here, then, is what the legs look like from the inside.

 

Given that I had never seen this stretcher design or leg attachment, I thought this might be a manual arts school project. But then I saw what appears to be a model number (# 766) scrawled on the underside. While that may not rule out it being a manual arts school project, it leaves open the possibility that this table was made by an Arts and Crafts furniture company.

 

Going back to the unusual leg attachment design, by turning the legs at an angle it also meant that the stretchers had to be notched at the ends to precisely fit each leg. Again, this may not rule out a manual arts project, but would seem to be something a professional furniture company would be more equipped to undertake, rather than simply butt-joining the stretcher to the side of the leg, as a manual arts instructor might recommend for his students.

And so, by now perhaps you have seen enough to have an idea of who or what firm may have made this table. If so, please click on our Facebook button and share your thoughts with all of us beneath the picture of this table.

Many thanks!

Bruce