Oval table with falling leaves
Unknown Artist
1715–40
Medium
Soft maple, white pine
Dimensions
28 1/2 x 57 1/2 x 48 1/4 in. (72.4 x 146.1 x 122.6 cm)
Classification
Table
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Russell Sage, 1909
Accession Number
10.125.133
Art Historical Context
Step into the refined world of early 18th-century American with this elegant *Oval Table with Falling Leaves*, crafted 1715 and 1740 by an unknown artisan. Fashioned from soft maple for the visible surfaces and white pine for secondary elements, this piece measures 28½ x 57½ x 48¼ inches, featuring a versatile oval top with drop-leaves that ingeniously "fall" to save space when not in use—a practical innovation for colonial households. Exemplifying the craftsmanship of America's Colonial era, the table highlights the use of locally abundant woods, reflecting resourcefulness and skill among fu...