The dining table is a central piece of furniture in any home. It's where we gather to eat, socialise, and spend time with our loved ones. But where did the dining table come from and how has it evolved over time? Let's take a look at the history of the dining table from ancient times to modern day.
You will get efficient and thoughtful service from Zuohui.
The earliest known dining tables were found in ancient Egypt, where dining tables were used by the wealthy to display their wealth and status. They were often made from wood or metal and were intricately carved and decorated. The tables were rectangular or oval in shape and were supported by four legs. They were often adorned with carvings of hieroglyphics and other decorative motifs.
The tables were used to serve food and drinks and were also used for socialising and entertainment. The wealthy would often host banquets and feasts on their dining tables and would invite their friends and guests to dine with them.
The tables were also used for religious ceremonies and rituals. Overall, ancient Egyptian dining tables were a symbol of wealth and status and were an important part of daily life for the wealthy.
In ancient Rome, dining tables, or "triclinium," were also used for reclining meals, although these were more elaborate and featured three couches arranged in a U-shape. The centre of the U was left open for a table, which was often adorned with sculptures and other decorative elements.
In ancient Greece, dining tables were often round and low to the ground and were accompanied by cushions or mats for seating. They often had 3 legs to create a better sense of balance.
During the Middle Ages in Europe, dining tables evolved to accommodate the change in dining habits. As people began sitting on chairs rather than reclining on couches, tables became larger and more rectangular to accommodate the new seating arrangements. They were also often made of oak, a strong and durable wood that could withstand the wear and tear of daily use.
In the 16th century, dining tables began to take on more ornate and decorative forms. The Tudor period in England saw the rise of the "great table," a large, elaborately carved and gilded piece of furniture that was used for formal dinners and banquets.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, dining tables became more practical and functional. The rise of the middle class led to the creation of smaller, more affordable tables that could be used in the home. These tables were often made of oak or mahogany and were designed to be easily expandable to accommodate larger groups.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, dining tables continued to evolve with the changing times. The Industrial Revolution brought about new materials and manufacturing techniques, leading to the creation of dining tables made of metal, glass, and other modern materials. The modern dining table also saw the introduction of new features, such as built-in leaf extensions and drop-leaf designs that made it easier to adjust the size of the table to fit different spaces and needs.
Today, the dining table comes in a wide variety of styles, materials, and sizes to suit any home and any need. From traditional wood tables to sleek and modern round dining tables, there is a dining table to fit every taste and budget.
So there you have it, a brief history of the dining table. From ancient times to modern day, the dining table has come a long way and has played a central role in homes around the world. Whether it's used for everyday meals or special occasions, the dining table is a cornerstone of any home. Shop our range of beautiful dining tables and find dining chairs to match!
More from Meubilair
The company is the world’s best Table Manufacturer supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.
&#;The best materials for a durable and long-lasting dining table
Why we love rattan furniture so much
Why choose reclaimed timber-made furniture
How to decorate an extendable dining table
5 Simple steps to protect your dining table
How to clean your oak dining table
Sources:
https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/Y_EA
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triclinium
Although there are innumerable uses for tables, they all share one thing in common: a surface, typically flat and horizontal, that may be used for working on or eating from. Beyond this there are probably more kinds of tables than there are types of any other class of furniture.
Varieties of construction aside, four-legged tables have predominated ever since ancient Egypt, although Greek and Roman tables were often slab-sided, in the manner of altars. The other main defining characteristic of a table is its height, and this has risen with changes in seating; tables from ancient Rome being low enough to serve low couches, while more recent types are made higher to accommodate chairs.
The earliest Western tables were simple boards supported on trestles erected when needed for eating. The contemporary so-called trestle table is descended from these but is usually fixed, and its trestles are most typically single fixed standards rather than the collapsible medieval kind.
Long, narrow trestle-type tables descended from those used for monastic dining are known as refectory tables. An equally common medieval type used for dining was made with four legs, connected at their feet by sturdy stretchers. Such early dining tables known as &#;joined tables&#; (see also joint stools) were large and massive, and were often furnished with draw-leaves to further increase their capacity.
By Tudor times (the 16th century), the legs of these dining tables were often formed with large, bulbous turnings, and eventually gave rise to single or double pedestal tables. A parallel development can be seen in the manufacture of tables designed to be situated along or against a wall rather than in the center of a room. Console tables (made with brackets and no back legs), pier tables (so-named because they were originally designed to occupy the wall space between windows), side tables, and hall tables are all examples of this type.
Tables designed and used for specific purposes other than dining include varieties such as artist&#;s and drafting tables (typified by sloping and often adjustable tops), billiard tables, card tables (often made round to accommodate more easily an extra player, and also often made with a folding top in order to occupy less space when not being used), communion tables, dressing tables (typically furnished with a mirror), library tables, and tea tables &#; the latter being usually thought of as a round table supported on a single pedestal with crossed or tripod feet at chair height for taking tea, in distinction to a coffee table whose use may indeed be for taking coffee, but whose position in front of a couch or sofa, and its consequent lower height, is of greater importance.
An equally important class of tables is that defined by location, which largely determines the table&#;s size and shape, such as bedside tables, night tables, side and end tables, and sofa tables.
Much ingenuity has been used to construct tables that may be expanded or reduced in size, most usually for dining, by means of extra leaves, drop leaves, folding leaves, and draw leaves, and many of these may be classified by the particular construction technique involved (such as gate-leg, Pembroke, tilt-top, harvest, and hunt tables), but for the most part these do not represent usage types. Similarly, many tables have been furnished with a variety of drawers and shelves, and even, in the case of library tables, with cupboards, to the point that they might often be more correctly classified as different types of furniture, such as dressers, sideboards, and desks (or writing tables).
Graham Blackburn is a furniture maker, author, and illustrator, and publisher of Blackburn Books (www.blackburnbooks.com) in Bearsville, N.Y.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Plastic Chair. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.