A sad little birch top separated from its legs and lost in a loft for decades. Stained, faded and abandoned, the brief was to make a new folding frame as close stylistically to contemporary historical examples. These were occasional, folding tables that could be moved and stored easily as and when required. The name derives falsely from the belief that they were carried on horse drawn coaches to be used as a table during resting times on journeys.

Just a little top and some traces of where the frame had been fastened. After some head scratching and modelling I worked out how to proceed.

After researching historical examples and modelling the location of the pivot point for the legs using plywood models

The templates can then be transferred to timber, in this case European oak.

The other components for the frame are added to complete a fully folding, stable structure. 6mm machine screws and lock nuts are used as a pivot.

The components are coloured to blend them together as a whole piece before being sealed with lacquer.