Trestle Table in Pine Wood, Central Europe, 1900

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This antique trestle table in pine wood rests on two X-frame trestles tied by a central stretcher, with a plank … Read more This antique trestle table in pine wood rests on two X-frame trestles tied by a central stretcher, with a plank top held by cleats underneath. Originates from Central Europe, from the early twentieth century, where pine was joined with pegged mortise-and-tenon work.The X-frame trestle is among the oldest solutions in European country furniture: it lets the table be assembled and taken apart, and spreads the load without an apron. It served in kitchens and working rooms, where the top was scrubbed often.The X-members cross in a halved lap and are locked by a stretcher with through pegs. The top is made of pine boards of uneven width, the joints now open and the edges rounded by use.The top has lost every finish and shows a pale honey tone, with sunken grain and dark staining. The green of the base has worn back to bare wood at the edges and feet, and traces of an earlier red show beneath. The difference between naked timber and painted base is what gives the piece its character.A kitchen or everyday dining table of generous proportion. The muted green of the base suits rustic and Nordic interiors, and the scrubbed top takes daily use without asking for care. See less