Table (furniture)

A table is a piece of furniture composed of a horizontal surface and a base. It is often used to hold objects or food at a convenient or comfortable height when sitting. Generic tables are typically meant for combined use with chairs. Tables do not normally have drawers, but when they do, they are variously called commodes, lowboys or dressers. A table specifically intended for working is a desk.

Etymology

The term "table" is derived from a merger of French table and Old English tabele (related to Old High German zabel and Modern German Tafel), both of which are ultimately derived from the Latin word tabula "a board, plank, flat piece". In Late Latin, tabula took over the meaning previously reserved to mensa (preserved in Spanish mesa "table"). In Old English, the word replaced bord for this meaning.Etymonline

Shape, height, and function

Tables come in a wide variety of shapes, height, and material, depending on their origin, style and intended use. All tables are composed of a flat surface and a base that may comprise of one or more legs. The surface may be virtually of any shape, although rectangular, square, round (a Round table) and oval tops are the most frequent. A table may be freestanding or meant to be placed against a wall (a console table). It might have more or less than four legs. A table with a single, central foot is a pedestal table. Long tables often have extra feet for support. Some tables have higher surfaces for standing at, or sitting with a tall stool.

For some tables the top surface can be adjusted in size, with a part that is foldable or can slide under the rest. Some tables are entirely foldable for easy transport, e.g. camping. Small tables in trains and aircraft may be fixed or foldable, although they are usually some sort of shelf rather than a table.

Types of table

Tables of various shape and size are used for specific uses:

A bedside table is a small table used in a bedroom. It is used to put objects used when waking or going to bed, such as a small lamp, an alarm clock, one's glasses or denture.
A drawing table usually has a top that can be tilted for making large or technical drawing. It might have a ruler or similar element integrated.
A coffee table is meant to be used in a living room, in front of a couch, for various items used while sitting, drinks or books.
A chess table is a type of games table that integrates a chessboard.
Refectory tables are long models of table meant to seat many people during eating.

Historically, various types of tables have been popular through western history:

Tripod tables were very popular during the Chippendale period. They are round tables, usually with a tilt-top mechanism.
Pembroke tables were first introduced during the Chippendale period, they were popular until the 19th century. Pembroke tables are smalltables with sliding extensions, usually oval-shaped.
Sofa tables evolved from the Pembroke tables, with the specific meant use of beingplaced directly behind couches. They are longer and narrower than Pembroke tables and usually have stretchers and dummy drawers.
Work table were small tables meant for ladies to sew at. They appeared during the 18th century.Typical early models have pedestal, but French types usually have four legs and an undertier.
Drum tables are round tables introduced for writing, with drawers around the platform.
End tables are small tables typically placed beside couches or armchairs. Often lamps will be placed on an end table.

Uses

A table can be used temporarily for objects such as food and eating utensils during a meal, cups for drinks, a book (especially a big one, that one can not easily keep in one's hands), a spread-out map, writing paper during writing, and anything that requires having several objects at hand, including various hobbies. Tables are frequently used to drop small items such as keychains or pens until further use. Tables sometimes substitute for other pieces of furniture, such as chairs and beds that require little more than a flat surface to accomplish their basic goal.

Things may also be put more permanently on a table, for example a TV, computer, objects for decoration (such as vases or tablecloths) etc. Table settings of food are laid out in a traditional arrangement.

Wooden tables are often used in hardcore wrestling matches. They are used for wrestlers to be slammed through, and very rarely are they used as weapons after they are broken.

History

The first tables were made and used by the Egyptians, and were little more than metal or stone platforms used to keep objects off the floor. They were not used for seating people. Food was put on large plates deposed on a pedestal for eating. The Egyptians made use of various small tables and elevated playing boards.

The Greeks and Romans made more frequent use of tables, notably for eating, although Greek tables were pushed under the beds after use. The Greeks invented a piece of furniture very similar to the guéridon. Tables were made of marble or wood and metal (typically bronze or silver alloys). Later, the larger rectangular tables were made of separate platforms and pillars. The Romans also introduced a large, semicircular table to Italy, the mensa lunata.

Furniture during the Middle Ages is not as well-known as that of earlier or later periods,and most sources show the types used by the nobility. In the Eastern Roman Empire, tables were made of metal or wood, usually with four feet frequently linked by x-shaped stretchers. Tables for eating were large, usually round or semicircular. A combination of a small round table and a lectern seemed very popular as a writing tableHeyward, p20. In western Europe, the invasions and intestine wars caused most of the knowledge inherited from the classical era to be lost. As a result of the necessary movability, most tables were simple trestle tables, although small round tables made from joinery reappeared during the 15th century and onward. In the Gothic era, the chest became totally widespread and was often used as a table.

Refectory tables first appeared in the 16th century as an evolution of the trestle table.

References

Notes

tables (furniture)

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