American Dining Tables

In the United States, the so-called "50-year period" of furniture design is divided into two distinct 25-year time periods.

The first half of the era was influenced by the Roman-inspired Hepplewhite, Sheraton, and Classic Revival styles. Known as the Federal style because of its correspondence to early days of the Republic (1790 to 1815), dining tables and other furniture pieces tended to be delicately made, refined and incorporated contrasting inlays of blond and dark exotic woods as decorative flourishes.

The latter part of the period saw a rise in French influence on American furniture, with Empire, Directoire, Restoration styles of furniture coming into fashion. Inspired by ancient Egyptian and Greek styles, dining tables became highly-architectural and often bore carvings in animal and human form with striking mahogany veneers accented by gilt and bronze highlights.

After the period ended, American furniture design began expanding aggressively into almost every direction, providing both serious connoisseurs and everyday diners with ample opportunities to find just the right table to suit their wants and needs.

Today, American dining tables come in a variety of styles, from traditional trumpet-legged pedestals with elongated oval tops to mid-century modern round pieces rendered in fiberglass.

Quick Facts

• An early 19th century American classical stencil-decorated and carved mahogany extension dining table sold at auction in April 2014 for $26,290
• In 2007 at Neal, a 19th century American carved mahogany pedestal dining table attributed to R.J. Horner of New York reached $14,687 at auction
• In 2005, an early 19th century American three-part banquet table with a drop-leaf section sold at auction for $15,275