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ANTIQUES PEEK by Jessica Kosinski
ANTIQUES PEEK

I Like My Tables On the Side

hen talking about a modern parlor or living room, there are students. It is simply convenient to be
certain items that immediately come to mind. As I am typing able to tuck needed items away either
Wthis, I am in fact sitting in my own parlor. In it are a couch, in or on a small piece of furniture that
a television, and a side table. It’s the latter that many of us take for does not take up much space.
granted. We just assume side tables have always existed for parlor use.
Yet, the tradition of using side tables in parlors started off in the Tudor How Parlor Side Tables
times (16th century), when tables were designed specifically for
placement along the wall, aka “along the side of the room.” According Originated (Most Likely)
to FineWoodworking.com, “Console tables (made with brackets and The transition of these tables to the
no back legs), pier tables (so- parlor may have come from their
named because they were usefulness in the bedroom. Bedside
originally designed to occupy tables date back much further than the
the wall space between parlor because they had far different
windows), side tables, and purposes than those most of us still use
hall tables are all examples of today. For example, Georgian bedside
this type.” tables often had washstands built into A $20 estate find fits perfect in
Today, they are absolutely them. Some also had cupboard doors today’s smaller spaces
indispensable and highly used to hide chamber pots before the
desirable pieces of furniture. days of modern bathrooms. It seems early furniture makers simply
Why are side tables popular adapted that idea to create parlor side tables for other utilitarian pur-
today? How did the modern poses as time passed. They saw the need and filled it.
use of these start? Are some There are some differences between antique parlor side tables and
side tables more desirable than bedside tables. The biggest is that many bedside tables had multiple
others? Let’s try to answer drawers or cupboard-style doors. Tables made specifically for parlor use
those questions and more as often had only one small drawer near the tabletop or no drawers at all,
we take a peek at what makes just open shelves.
17th century bobbin turned side table, with parlor side tables so appealing.
H-stretcher and moulded drawer front Producers of Parlor

The Modern Popularity of Parlor Side Tables Side Tables
The reason side tables are so popular today is also one of the top In some cases, early parlor side
reasons they have been around for such a long time. As rooms for tables were made by known furni-
formal get-togethers became more popular, the side table became more ture makers, and those furniture
important in the parlor. That reason is the necessity for an organized makers can still be identified
storage place that could be out of the way but still within the confines of today. For example, Duncan
the parlor. They tended to be smaller in size and “silent” in that they Phyfe was a well-known Scottish
could hold items that were meant to be placed or removed by a servant, furniture maker who moved with
or hold items that was meant to be used during the conversation with a his family to the United States in
friend or confidant. Items like a datebook or a place to rest a pair of glasses 1784. They settled in New York,
or a hearing device would often be put handily within arms’ reach. Duncan Phyfe side table where Mr. Phyfe and other furni-
Compared to today, ture makers under his employ
people did not have as made many different types of furniture still highly prized by collectors
many items they needed today, including side tables.
to stay on top of like a Edward William Godwin is another furniture maker known for his
cellphone or other unique designs, which often incorporated Japanese influences. Records
devices while relaxing and images exist today of
in their parlors. Even many of his pieces, includ-
books weren’t as readily ing side tables. In fact, he is
available to the general known for creating a
public as they are particular side table for his
today. Thus, books and wife that is also considered
magazines were not an iconic example of the
Note the silent sidetable next to the couch in the present in most parlors furniture of the British
Early American room at Winterthur, the Readbourne until the 1800s. These Aesthetic movement. That
Parlor with 18th century woodwork from Maryland movement took place from
tended to be out of the
sticky hands of visitors. Today they are now proudly displayed in 1860 to 1880.
today’s parlors or our living rooms.
Another reason side tables are so popular today is that many people
have living arrangements requiring smaller, more utilitarian furniture, c. 1872 side table
and these fit the space perfectly. For example, those living in small created by Edward William
Godwin for his wife,
apartments may not have room for large coffee tables. The same is true the actress Ellen Terry.
of students living in college dorms or sharing apartments with fellow photo: metmuseum.org

18 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles