York
The table shown here is one of our previous restorations – a “York” style table by Sanford, Bell & Lahm – the small inset photo is the same table prior to restoration.
This table is solid Alder (also called Poplar) with oak rails. Today, solid furniture is often considered an upgrade from veneered (partially because most current veneered furniture is not over solid wood) – but in the 19th century, veneer was the upgrade. The more modestly priced tables were constructed from solid, glued-up oak, chestnut or poplar and heavily finished to resemble oak or mahogany in color. The more expensive tables were veneered in woods too fancy for solid construction – quarter-sawn oak, bird’s-eye maple, rosewood, mahogany, walnut, etc. Solid wood tables were destined for more utilitarian uses such as barber shops and small pool parlors, not the exclusive clubs or formal billiard rooms of the well-to-do. We show this table to illustrate how nicely these solid wood tables can turn out when finished with care and sensitivity.
The “York” (BBC’s model name) style is similar to the “Narragansett” - the main difference being the legs. The York legs were much thinner and a straight taper, like an upside-down witch’s hat. The Narragansett leg was more barrel-like. York legs were an 1870’s and 80’s profile, while the Narragansett legs were very 1890’s.
We currently have a nine foot, Brunswick-Balke-Collender “York” available to restore – the Quarter-sawn Oak version. |
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