EXPERT COMMENT Lennox Cato However, Thomas Sheraton in his Cabinet Dictionary, 1803, describes a Pembroke table as “a type of breakfast table, from the name of the lady who first gave orders for one of them, and who probably gave the first idea of such a table to the workmen.” The lady in question being the Countess of Pembroke.
TIME-HONOURED DESIGN
LENNOX CATO
Without RESERVE Pembroke tables have been the mainstay of the antiques dealer for decades and remain as elegant and useful as they did in the 18th century, writes Antiques Roadshow specialist Lennox Cato
T
he table is thought to have been named after Lt-Gen. Henry Herbert, 6th Earl of Montgomery and 9th Earl of Pembroke (1693-1750) who, after taking part on the Grand Tour in the early 18th century, became inspired by all things antique. He was friends with the Palladian architect William Kent and designed several buildings in the neo-classical taste, including his own home, Pembroke House in Whitehall. His talents extended so far he even became known as the ‘architect’ among his close friends and allies, which included Horace Walpole, Britain’s first prime minister. Herbert was also an early vegetarian who attempted to live on a diet of just beetroot and watercress – an eating regime which almost killed him.
50 ANTIQUE COLLECTING
Above Satinwood Pembroke table with a crossbanded top, c. 1780, image courtesy of Lennox Cato Right Pembroke table
from Paxton House, Berwickshire by Thomas Chippendale. The table has a serpentine crossbanded top above a drawer on cabriole legs with carved palmettes on the knees and scroll feet with leather castors
Generally, the tables are designed in rectangular form with one or two drawers and flaps on either side. The flaps are on concealed hinges, usually three on each side and once raised, brackets are pulled out which support the flaps. You may find in some old reference books or journals these supports were known as ‘elbows’. We now refer to them as bracket supports. The Pembroke table is raised on small castors so the table may be moved around more easily. Thomas Chippendale was perhaps the first cabinet maker to produce this new style of table as we know it today, made of solid mahogany with carved details, designs of which can be seen in The Gentleman and The Cabinet Maker’s Director, first published 1754. As we know, Chippendale was always ahead of the curve and, as time went on, he started using exotic woods in the manufacture of everyday furniture including the Pembroke table. These included woods such as ‘pidgeon wood’, Gaudalupe, ‘Nutmeg’ and ‘Allegozant’ (Ref; C. Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, London 1978. Vol 1, pp.159.183. and 280).
VARYING STYLES As the period progressed the Pembroke table evolved into many different shapes and sizes. Still keeping to the basic format of a small table with flaps, the designs became increasingly flamboyant with shaped ends to the flaps, sometimes known as butterfly ends and curved ends making the table oval in shape.
