This post is part of a series revealing the table of contents of upcoming Issue Twenty-One. As is our custom, we’ll be discussing one article per weekday in order to give you a taste of what is to come.
The subscription window that includes Issue Twenty-One is open now.
To get Issue Twenty-One when it ships in early September, you can sign up for a subscription here.
If you aren’t sure about your subscription status, you can reach out to Grace at info@mortiseandtenonmag.com. Keep in mind though, if you are set to auto-renew, you never have to worry about getting the next issue of Mortise & Tenon. Issue Twenty-One is coming your way soon!
___________________________________
“Under the Table: An Examination of an 18th-Century Tavern Table”
Sometimes, first appearances deceive. Old furniture is notorious for this. Although a distanced look might check all the boxes, there are oftentimes clues that need to be sniffed out. Empty holes serving no apparent purpose? An out-of-place change in patina that highlights replaced components? Exposed early paint lines that reveal original construction? Modern machinery marks in a handmade piece?These are the kinds of things that demand an explanation.
This is furniture sleuthing 101, and it’s rarely the case that a piece’s history can be understood at first glance. It takes looking at all angles with various light sources, patiently puzzling over anomalies. The 18th-century tavern table examination in Issue Twenty-One is an excellent example of this process. Although all may appear well from across the room, turn this table over, and the evidence reveals itself. Old paint lines lead to black smearing, which leads to power-tool marks, which signals replacement components. What happened here?
Although we may not know for certain, putting the pieces of evidence together helps us to develop a solid theory about what happened to this piece. With this exam article, you will be able to look at these photos and read our reasoning yourself – you be the judge. Exploring old furniture is like detective work, and seeking to understand it is a never-ending pursuit.
Subscribe now to reserve your copy of Issue Twenty-One.