Antique Sideboards

THE sideboard as a standard piece of dining-room furniture is only about one hundred and forty years old, but it was developed to such a high degree of utility and beauty toward the close of the eighteenth century that there are few types of old furniture more to be desired by the collector. Even during the first half of the nineteenth century they possessed merit, so that the period of old sideboards extends, roughly speaking, from 1765 to 1840.

The sideboard was a development of the side-table or serving-table-a plain table set against the wall in the dining-room for holding dishes to be served. Silver and glassware were not displayed on this, but were first kept in a movable cupboard, often standing on a chest of drawers that held the table-linen. This cupboard was followed by the built-in closet or buffet in the eighteenth century, and a larger table was de-sired for the display of ornamental glassware and silver, as well as for the needs of service.

The side-table or serving-table appeared in the first half of the eighteenth century. About 1740 marble-top tables were used to some extent, but though these were useful for hot dishes, and cleanly, they soon gave place to more or less ornamental tables of mahogany and other woods. Two little pedestal cupboards were occasionally provided, placed one at each end of the side-table, and matching it in style and material. One of these was for hot plates and the other for wine. On top of these usually stood mahogany vases or urns containing receptacles, one for iced water, and the other for hot water for rinsing knives and forks, articles not as common in those days as they are now. Beneath the table sometimes stood a separate oval tub or cellaret, frequently made of mahogany and standing on short legs. These features were further developed in the Adam and Heppelwhite periods as parts of the side-board.

Soon an ornamental brass rail was added at the back, sometimes supplied with candle-holders. Knife-and-spoon holders also began to appear as the side-table became used more and more for display.
From this table and the accompanying pieces developed the sideboard, which was n reality a combination of them in one piece. The pedestal cupboards became a part of the sideboard, and often the cellaret as well, and urns for knives, forks, and spoons were attached.

This development took place about the time of Chippendale-that is, after his earlier work-and there seems to be some dispute as to whether or not the great cabinet-maker produced any sideboards. His first designs, in 1745, included none, though there were marble-top side-tables with carved mahogany frames. They had four legs, the front ones carved, and straight or curved, and the back ones less ornamental. His later designs show a nearer approach to the sideboard, with solid mahogany tops and carved frames. He also designed knife-boxes. He is said to have made a few sideboards to order, however, after designs by the Adam brothers.

Few, if any, of these old serving-tables found their way to this country, and it is useless for the collector to look for them here, except in the shops of responsible importers.

Heppelwhite Antique Sideboards

Sheraton Antique Sideboards