The gateleg table is a piece of furniture that was popular in 16th-century England. It has a tabletop with a fixed section and one or two hinged leaves. These leaves may be folded down below the permanent section to hang vertically when not in use. The hinged part or flap serves as a gate. This gate is supported by swiveling legs joined at the top and bottom by stretchers. Two supports were included on the large flaps, which had the advantage of allowing greater space for the center’s free-standing legs.
What is the Origin of the Gateleg Table?
The gateleg table was named for its pivoting legs which are connected to one another by crosspieces. When raised, the “gates” of the gateleg table support the D-shaped drop leaves. The English used oval or circular gateleg tables for dining in the 16th century. These replaced large dining tables that seat the entire family and additional guests.
In the 17th century, the gateleg table was first imported to colonial America, frequently in the William and Mary fashion. These thick-legged gateleg tables were utilized in homes with constrained space.
The gateleg table developed a new style in the 18th century. This gateleg table design had thinner legs and became known as the spider-leg table.
Is the Gateleg Table Different from a Drop Leaf Table?
A drop leaf table has two movable leaves that dangle vertically along the sides. These can be raised to create a bigger table surface. The drop leaf table’s primary goal is to maximize usefulness and usability. It has a straightforward mechanism that doesn’t need any extra parts or labor-intensive changes.
The gateleg table is a type of drop leaf table. Unlike the drop leaf table where the fixed center supports the leaves, the gateleg table uses its legs for support. The gateleg table is more suitable for compact rooms because it takes up less space than a drop leaf table. It is more convenient to store and transport outside.
