A MAHOGANY PIE CRUST TRIPOD TABLE 

A fine mid-18th century small mahogany circular tripod table with piecrust top, raised on a turned stem with spiral knop, on down-curving supports ending in pointed pad feet.

Tripod tables were primarily made for holding tea and coffee equipage. Tea had been introduced to England from Holland in the early 17th century and in spite of the high prices and heavy duty imposed, it gradually became a fashionable drink around which great ceremony revolved. Towards the middle of the 18th century there was a shift from the former fashion of drinking in tea gardens to drinking at home. Consequently cabinetmakers turned their attention to the making of suitable ornamental tables, often for a special tea-room. In the 'Female Spectator' of 1745, a contributor writer: 'The tea-table costs more to support than would maintain two children at nurse'.

William Ince and John Mayhew illustrated designs for 'Tea Kettle Stands' in their 'The Universal System of Household Furniture', 1762, as did Thomas Chippendale in his 'The Gentleman and Cabinet Makers Director', London, 3rd ed., 1762, p.LV.

CONDITION REPORT ON REQUEST.