This post is part of a blog series revealing the table of contents of upcoming Issue Eighteen. As is our custom, we’ll be discussing one article per weekday in order to give you a taste of what is to come.
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If you aren’t sure about your subscription status, you can reach out to Grace at info@mortiseandtenonmag.com. Keep in mind though, if you are set to auto-renew, you never have to worry about getting the next issue of Mortise & Tenon. Issue Eighteen is coming your way soon!
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Issue Eighteen T.O.C. – Late 18th – Early 19th-century Walnut Stand
Sometimes, having a story makes all the difference. Even a simple, unadorned, or otherwise unremarkable piece of antique furniture takes on new liveliness when it can be accurately attributed to a maker or owner, or located in a specific time and place. Suddenly, every trace of patina, every dent and scuff becomes infused with possibility and real human connection.
For our Issue Eighteen examination, we will be looking closely at a graceful and simple walnut stand that likely dates to the turn of the 19th century. Stands and tilt-top tables were ubiquitous during that period, utilized for holding candles, writing, and reading. Many homes had one in every room. But as ordinary as this piece is, it is set apart by the fact that it spent all its early years in a single home – a farmhouse in Shenandoah Junction, West Virginia. It undoubtedly saw births and deaths, heard the rumble of cannon-fire from nearby battles during the American Civil War, and witnessed conversations of political and social intrigue (the history of the farm included interactions with the Washington and Burr families).
As always, we will look closely at construction details, tool marks, and secondary surfaces of the stand, gathering information about the build process and adding to the narrative of the piece. There are fascinating hints and details to be observed, with the provenance of the stand adding a rich layer. Created during the tumultuous birth of the nation and bearing witness to hardships and strife along the way, the story of this simple piece of furniture continues even today.
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