Known as tabula in Latin, mesa in Spanish, and bord in Old English; the table no matter what it is called is still used for the purpose that it was created before. Even though they have come in a variety of looks, they are still made to support objects or to keep them off the ground. In prehistoric times, our ancestors just put their stuff on top of rocks or made them lie on the ground.
The earliest known tables were first used by, not surprisingly, by the pharaohs and the Chinese. The ones that the pharaohs used were little more crude and were more like small tables or stools than tables as we know today, and they were made from metal or stone. They were used generally for placing food. The Chinese used their tables for writing, painting and eating, and they were made out of wood. The Chinese design was usually shorter and this enabled the user to sit on the floor and use the table. The Chinese were most likely to use the table for eating, where people would sit opposite from each other and do their business. Later on this was copied by the Japanese, Koreans and so on and so forth.
In Europe, the Greeks and Romans also had their contribution in the development of the table. They also used their tables for eating, but the Greeks added an innovation to their tables. Their tables could be kept under their beds. Marble, metal, or wood were the primary materials that they were made with. Romans contributed to table design with their large tables that may on occasion have 6 legs. Shaped like semi-circles, they were called Mensa Lunata.
Probably, the design of the farmhouse dining table was based on the Mensa Lunata. Both tables are huge. Original farmhouse tables could hold 12 to about 14 guests. Pine wood or oak wood were used for their construction, which reflects the area that these tables were first made. A rustic design was also often finished on such tables. This hides the wear and tear that can come from tough farm use.
It's a substance over style situation. Even though the most common shape is rectangular the smaller ones are made to be square in shape or even circular. When purchasing one it is important to keep in mind that they generally are heavier and larger than regular tables, so once you put one in your house you will not want to keep moving it around. Some of these tables even come with a weathered finished look which gives it a "used at the farm" look even though it may not have been anywhere near a farm or cowboys. - 32406
The earliest known tables were first used by, not surprisingly, by the pharaohs and the Chinese. The ones that the pharaohs used were little more crude and were more like small tables or stools than tables as we know today, and they were made from metal or stone. They were used generally for placing food. The Chinese used their tables for writing, painting and eating, and they were made out of wood. The Chinese design was usually shorter and this enabled the user to sit on the floor and use the table. The Chinese were most likely to use the table for eating, where people would sit opposite from each other and do their business. Later on this was copied by the Japanese, Koreans and so on and so forth.
In Europe, the Greeks and Romans also had their contribution in the development of the table. They also used their tables for eating, but the Greeks added an innovation to their tables. Their tables could be kept under their beds. Marble, metal, or wood were the primary materials that they were made with. Romans contributed to table design with their large tables that may on occasion have 6 legs. Shaped like semi-circles, they were called Mensa Lunata.
Probably, the design of the farmhouse dining table was based on the Mensa Lunata. Both tables are huge. Original farmhouse tables could hold 12 to about 14 guests. Pine wood or oak wood were used for their construction, which reflects the area that these tables were first made. A rustic design was also often finished on such tables. This hides the wear and tear that can come from tough farm use.
It's a substance over style situation. Even though the most common shape is rectangular the smaller ones are made to be square in shape or even circular. When purchasing one it is important to keep in mind that they generally are heavier and larger than regular tables, so once you put one in your house you will not want to keep moving it around. Some of these tables even come with a weathered finished look which gives it a "used at the farm" look even though it may not have been anywhere near a farm or cowboys. - 32406
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Learn more about the Farmhouse Dining Table. Stop by Alexander Stone's site where you can find out all about it and what it can do for you.
