Pembroke or breakfast table

1805-1820

Maker

Probably John Janvier Jr. (1777–1850) or Janvier shop

Measurements

28 1/2 in x 36 in x 21 in (open, 46 3/4 in)

Materials

Mahogany; tulip poplar (framing rails)

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation

Accession Number

1968.401

Provenance

This table was purchased by Winterthur from Mrs. W. Edward (Elizabeth Clayton) Wright, whose handwritten notes pasted to the underside of the top and dated February 20, 1967, state that the table was made by John Janvier about 1790 and belonged to Isaac Janvier Woods (1863–1931) of McDonough, Delaware. Ex coll. Miss Margaret Janvier Hort.

Comments

This Pembroke or breakfast table (the terms were used interchangeably) has "elliptic" leaves, a term that derives from their curves.  The table embodies some noteworthy features.  The mahogany used in it is very fine.  Less obvious, the maker used mahogany--albeit of lesser quality--in construction areas, namely the "flies" or hinged triangular supports for the leaves, that were almost always relegated to less expensive "secondary woods" such as oak, maple, cherry, or even walnut.  The maker also secured the top to the frame with many redundant glue blocks and screws.  Notable too, the turned and reeded legs end in feet that have six stacked rings above the cylindrical bottoms.  

Bibliography

Sweeney, “Corbit-Sharp House,” 879, pl. V.

Zimmerman, A Storied Past, 95-96.