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ANTIQUE
STRETCHER TABLES (Early Dining Tables)
The term
"stretcher table" Was recently coined to describe
the refectory tables that were popular from around 1550 to
1700.
These
are the earliest forms of dining tables. Some have huge single
plank tops, but most have two or three pieces of wood cleated
together. Stretcher tables are usually made from oak in
England, although you can see tables made from elm or a
combination of the two. They are made from oak and pine in the
America.
BEWARE
Large numbers of
copies were produced at the turn of the 19th century,
often made from oak floorboards. Check table tops
for filled holes at even spaces - these could mean
the planks were originally nailed to joists as part of
somebody's floor. Also, check the difference in color
between the underside of the top and inside of the
skirt.
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