Pembroke table

Object/Artifact

-

Saco Museum

Name/Title

Pembroke table

Entry/Object ID

1933.1.11

Description

Mahogany drop-leaf Pembroke table decorated with light colored string inlay. The leaves have curved corners with triple beading on the edges and are supported by hinged wings. The straight, double tapered legs have light colored string inlay, arched at the top, and ankle cuffs of a darker patterned inlay. The rail has decorative stringing on the lower edge with a central crossbanding of curly satinwood or maple. The drawer front has similar decoration and retains its original brass pull.

Made/Created

Date made

1785 - 1793

Dimensions

Height

28 in

Width

36 in

Depth

18-3/4 in

Dimension Notes

drop leaves 9.50 X 36

Material

mahogany, satinwood or maple, white pine, birch

Interpretative Labels

Label Type

Object Label

Label

Pembroke Table, 1785-1793 Portland, attributed to John Seymour possibly with Thomas Seymour mahogany, pine, birch Gift of the estate of George Addison Emery

Label Type

Cultural/Historical Context

Label

Pembroke tables, often spelled "Pembrook," appear frequently in probate inventories and auction listings in Boston and Portland during the Federal period. Small and lightweight, they were easily moved around. With the leaves extended, they provided a good surface for tea drinking or card playing, writing, or serving light meals. Because they were often used for dining, they also were frequently referred to as “breakfast” tables. This is one of the few Pembroke tables that can be firmly attributed to John and Thomas Seymour. It is also one of the few pieces attributed to them that were probably made during the decade they worked in Portland. Double-tapered legs, like the ones on this table, were often used by the Seymours in their earlier years. The table originally belonged to Colonel Thomas Cutts. His 1821 probate inventory lists "1 small leafed table $5" in the lower west room.