Table

table from the “nest of tables” set In the second half of the 18th century and in the 19th century, many small auxiliary tables fulfilling various functions appeared in European furniture making. They were used for serving tea, writing, knitting or meals. One type of this kind of furniture was a set of three or four tables called complex tables, with decreasing dimensions. They were sized so that the smaller one could be slid under the slightly larger one. When put together, they took up only the space of the outer furniture. This is why they are sometimes called a “nest of tables”. Their construction was simple and lightweight, and the design was identical for the entire set. The top rested on legs or supports in such a way that the lower connectors between the legs allowed the smaller table to slide under the larger one. The table presented here is one of a complex “nest of tables” set. In France, they were called gigone and in Germany, Serviertische. The complex table proved to be a practical piece of furniture and is still produced today. Teresa Bagińska-Żurawska https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9243-3967