The pillar and claw design was most popular and was used for centre tables, bases of piano stools, and even for piano legs (see Illustration [292]). A pillar-and-claw mahogany centre table with drop leaves is shown in Illustration [272]. The feet are lion’s claws, and from this date the lion’s or bear’s claw foot was used for furniture with carved feet, instead of the bird’s claw-and-ball which had been so largely used during the previous century.
Illus. 272.—Pillar-and-claw Dining-table, about 1800.
A splendid dining-table of mahogany is shown in Illustration [273]. It is in three sections, each with a base. The legs have a bold spread, and are simply carved in grooves, ending in lion’s claws. This fine table is owned by Barton Myers, Esq., of Norfolk, Virginia.
Illustration [274] shows a mahogany dining-table now in the Worcester Art Museum, inherited from the late Stephen Salisbury, Esq.
Illus. 273.—Extension Dining-table, 1810.
Illus. 274.—Accordion Extension Table, 1820.
The method of extension is after that of an accordion, and necessitates an astonishing number of legs when not extended, ten in all.