Antique tripod tables were first seen in the early 18th century and their main use was to hold candles on as they could be easily moved around the room where light was needed. There purposes soon changed as people realised how useful these little tables were and they were seen as occasional or wine tables and very often used as tea tables.
These antique tripod tables stand on three legs and mainly have a hinged top that tilts up into a vertical position, so they can be stored away when not in use. They also come with plain tops and rounded edges, they would sometimes have carved and decorated columns and bases. Also a nice feature on some is called a dish top which means a raised moulded edge around the top that protects items from being accidentally knocked off the table top. Most tripod tables also still have the original tilting mechanisms which have had years of use.
The best antique tripod tables have a top that is made from a single piece of solid mahogany. Country tripod tables were usually made from oak, fruitwood or elm and were made from two or three planks of solid wood rather than one full solid top. Here at Antiques World we often get a beautiful selection for sale and you can see our current selectionhere on our antique tables page. below are few examples that are currently for sale along with a selection of previous stock that we have sold and if any particular design looks of interest, please let us know as we can inform you of similar pieces that we acquire.
Below are the sold examples, but let us know if any particular design looks of interest as we regularly get them in stock.Â
This superb quality, rare Georgian mahogany birdcage antique supper table / antique tilt top table / antique tripod table circa 1790 has a one piece beautifully carved shaped tilt top with gaming Wells, tilt top mechanism and four pillar birdcage action platform. This quality antique table stands on an elegant carved turned pedestal with acanthus leaf carvings and has tripod splayed legs again with beautiful carvings and pad feet.
This finest quality antique small burr walnut Victorian occasional table dates from ca. 1860 and is the ideal piece for a wine or lamp table. It has a beautifully figured circular top with moulded edge above an elegant turned central pedestal, has a tripod shaped base with small turned finials and has turned bun feet with concealed small brass castors.
This beautiful antique Georgian table, dating from around 1800, has a circular top and is of super quality. The pedestal is elegantly turned and stands on tripod splayed legs with pad feet. The top itself is constructed from a solid piece of mahogany and tilts on its original mechanism. This is a quality table from the period and has aged to a lovely warm medium shade of mahogany with a striking grain, good patina, is in very good condition and has been beautifully cleaned using a traditional form of wax finishing.
Georgian Mahogany Antique Occasional Wine Table, Dating from around 1790 in the Georgian period this delightful antique makes the perfect station for a lamp or precious ornament. It has a circular one piece solid mahogany tilt top that operates on the original mechanism.
This Spectacular Quality Inlaid Edwardian Antique Occasional / Wine / Lamp Table circa, 1900 has an unusual octagonal top with unique fretwork carved gallery top with central intricate beautifully inlaid section, using satinwood, ebony and boxwood.
Dating from around 1830 in the Regency period this fine quality table is made from mahogany. The circular top is made from a single piece of mahogany and tilts on the original mechanism.
Victorian Walnut Chess Top Occasional Antique Table ,Dating from around 1880 in the Victorian period this delightful antique has a beautiful moulded top with an unusual chess board inlaid centre decoration. It stands on a turned pedestal with tripod splayed legs and a central turned finial at the base.
Antique Walnut Victorian Side Table with Inlaid Chess Board on an elegantly turned barley twist pedestal.
Fine Quality Solid Mahogany Antique Georgian Birdcage Top Table
This beautiful Georgian, circa 1780, birdcage top mahogany antique table is of very fine quality and would make the ideal occasional table. The circular top is constructed from a solid piece of mahogany and tilts on a very early mechanism. It spins, as all birdcage top tables should, above an elegant vase shape pedestal having tripod splayed legs and pad feet. The table has recently been repolished taking it back to its former glory so is perfect for the antiques enthusiast who prefers a much cleaner, less ‘used’, looking piece!
Georgian birdcage tilt top inlaid table with segmented top
