Folding Table

Folding Table
France, ca. 1480-1500
Wood (oak ?)
H. 0.75 m; W. 0.905 m ; L. 0.790 m
Cl. 22795

Furniture was scarce in the Middle Ages. The rich owned many homes. When they moved from one home to another, they moved their furnishings and tapestries. Therefore furniture had to be functional. while stationary tables did exist, many tables were composed of a simple tray on trestles. The scarcity of this comodity led to the creation of this type of easy to dismantle table. On its pedestal, whose feet are decorated with human figures, rest five pilasters in which four scrolled panels are encased. Above, two cross pieces support the octogonal tabletop. The assembly is held together by movable pins. This beautiful table, whose design dates back to the end of the 15th century, could thus easily accompany its owner from one home to the next.