Antique Kitchen Tables

The history of the kitchen table is somewhat vague and not well documented. It is believed that the Egyptians invented the first kitchen table which consisted of several planks used for the sole purpose of keeping food off the floor.

Kitchen tables did abound during the middle ages. These tables served the duel purpose of providing a surface on which food was prepared and then while the family ate in the great hall, servants would gather around the kitchen table to eat their supper.

Kitchen tables during the 1700-1800 were often the focal piece of the one room cabinet. Because many cottages were often one room and quite small, these tables were used to prepare food, to eat meals, for children to do their homework and for the family get together after dinner. They became the mainstay of early American pioneer families. Some of these tables were handed down from generation to generation.

Since these tables were made more often than not by the same families that used them, the wood for these tables was usually whatever wood was available on the land the families occupied. Pine, maple, oak, ash and cherry are just some of the woods used in these wonderful creations.

Most of those early pioneers were skilled carpenters and though their work was simple, their craftsmanship was not. These tables were meant to last generation after generation and they have, providing for an amazing variety and number of antique kitchen tables today.

It is somewhat easy to recognize an antique or replicated antique table. Due to their utilitarian purpose, there was nothing fancy about them. These tables had simple lines, sturdy legs and were usually rectangle, though a few were round. Larger families usually used bench tables which somewhat resemble a picnic table with free standing benches. Others were smaller with two or four chairs.

Due to the lack of storage space in most early homes, many antique kitchen tables have drawers where cutlery and even drinking cups were stored. Others had leaves that hung down the sides of the tables and were extended for meals.

In the larger homes of the more well to do, there was usually a kitchen and a dining room table. The dining room table was reserved for company and the family normally took their meals at the kitchen table just like their less well to do neighbors and friends.

In some homes, kitchens actually supported two tables. The standard table used for eating and a smaller table known as a work table. Work tables were usually made of extremely thick pieces of wood and were used for chopping meats and vegetables so as not to mar the surface of the eating table. However, most kitchens were not large enough to sport two tables, so a cutting board was often used to protect the tables surface.

If you have a rustic kitchen décor and are looking for an antique kitchen table to complete your look, there are many available to choose from though they do not come cheap. The quality of workmanship on these tables of yesteryear are unequaled today and the price you pay for one of these wonderful pieces of history is well worth the price.