Small Folding Specimen Table

A small Specimen Table from the West Indies.

The table's legs are made as two pairs with the top fixed to one pair. The second pair of legs are made to twist either to support the two drop leaves or to allow them to fold. A spring is set between the rails of each pair of legs under the top to give a firm support to the leaves.

The top and the tray set above the stretchers to the legs are decorated with quarter inch thick veneers of different specimen woods set in a typical spiral pattern on mahogany. The tables legs are rosewood. The construction of the table is worthy of note. The veneers are fixed with a number of screws that are clearly visible from the underside of the top and the legs have pegged joints. The use of the spring to aid the twisting of the legs but also ensure that the leaves hold their horizontal position is well considered. It is common for leaves to drop slightly through the movement of the timber and wear, and this counteracts the problem.

The top has a circle to the centre which has the inlaid initials of 'H.L.W.' and the tray to the legs has the initial 'S'. It possible that these relate to the owner who may have requested their addition.
The partial paper label to the underside of the top is printed with 'Passenger' and 'London' but does give any further information. It does suggest that the table was purchased by a visitor to the West Indies with its size and the fact that it folds making it easier to take home as a souvenir.

Jamaica has a history of making good Specimen Tables using exotic woods with Ralph Turnbull's workshop the most celebrated. This table is much later than Turnbull's work but follows in the tradition that he popularised. Late 19th Century.

Folded size is given.