Wood Trestle
Trestle Table Feasting In Ancient Ways
Early trestle table design was practical in construction and desirable because it was easy to disassemble and transport. It was and still is the perfect occasional table. With it's simple design, those seated do not have the inconvenience of four fixed legs at each corner of the table getting in one's way much like the design of a pedestal table.
During the day the common room or the great hall as they were known was again cleared and used as the Lords deemed fit. As time went on castles became a symbol of power and less as a place of defense and population centers grew also known as cities. Castles and manors were functioning more like homes which needed furniture and craftsmen started to build more ornate pieces. Around the 1500's the trestle table became an important piece of furniture.
One trestle table was recorded to be 54 feet in length. Hence the advent of the refectory table, the name coming came from the room in the monastery or castle were used. This new type of table was known as a "joined" table because it was put together by the type of carpenter known as a joiner.
They were often made of maple, oak or pine. A modern style of the refectory table is know as the extension top or a draw table with leaves that are stored under the top and can be pulled out to extend the ends.
Imagine the great halls of Europe, Henry the XVIII ripping into a leg of wild boar served at his massive trestle table. In castles of kings, in great halls of the wealthy between the 12th and 15th centuries these great tables served feasts. Diners would be seated on long benches or stools on one side of the table while the other was used for serving. This may be why earlier tables were narrower. After the feast the table could be dismantled and stored to one side of the great hall. Free standing pillars with cruciform feet for stability were used for support.
These pillars were sometimes just plain and other times ornately decorated. Very few medieval tables exist today, but a fine example can be viewed in the Great Hall of Penshurst Place, Kent where a pair has been in existence since the 15th century. Something of this caliber, if you were lucky enough to find it, would be priceless.
Wood furniture in the Middle Ages was not stained or sealed. It was wiped with oily rags to pick up the scraps of food and dust that accumulated. Body oils from hands and grease from foods would soak into the wood. Just eating would be the seal that the table would naturally get.
The primary reason for sealing wood is to keep it from drying and cracking and getting stained. Those old tables must have had a lot of character, you could probably tell what the fare was for dinner by the stains.
About the Author
Place in a beautiful
trestle table
to your home. A gorgeous choice of any
trestle tables
would add a wonderful look to your dining area. Go online and find your table now.
Wood Trestle
 |
 Scatchbuilt wood trestle double track code 100 rail 304  US $100.00
|
 Scatchbuilt wood trestle double track code 100 rail 308 US $100.00
|
 Handmade Wood Covered Trestle Bridge HO or O scale US $99.95
|
 HO HOn3 WOOD 174 STEP PILE TRESTLE BRIDGE BUILTa US $89.95
|
 COLDWATER COAL CO UNLOADING TRESTLE PRR STANDARD LASER WOOD KIT HO Scale US $79.95
|
 scratchbuilt wood HO trestle code 83 274 US $65.00
|
 81 ft PILE TIMBER TRESTLE BRIDGE HO Model Railroad Structure Wood Kit HL102H US $56.95
|
 sratchbuilt wood Ho trestle code 100 48 US $55.00
|
 81 ft FRAMED TIMBER TRESTLE BRIDGE HO Model Railroad Structure Wood Kit HL101H US $54.95
|
 COAL UNLOADING TRESTLE PRR PENNSYLVANIA STANDARD LASER WOOD KIT HO Scale US $49.95
|
 BANTA MODELWORKS TRESTLE HOUSE HO Model Railroad Structure Wood Kit BM105 HO US $48.95
|
 Scratchbuilt wood trestle double track 308 US $45.00
|
 Evergreen Hill HO 514 Wood Ravin Trestle US $34.99
|
 scratchbuilt HO wood trestle code 100 rail 259 US $27.00
|
 HO Light Railway Trestle Bridge Kit Easy Wood Kit US $21.50
|
 RURAL HOBO CREEK LOW TIMBER TRESTLE WOOD KIT HO Scale US $19.90
|
 HO Trestle Bridge support Triple Bent 3 3 4 high Bass Wood modular US $18.95
|
 scratchbuilt HO wood trestle 306 US $14.00
|
 CAMPBELL SCALE MODELS HO SCALE OPEN DECK PILE TRESTLE WOOD CRAFTSMAN KIT 302 US $13.06
|
 TRESTLE SET 28 PIECES BROWN FAUX WOOD HO SCALE US $11.69
|
 Low Boy Trestle Kit Laser Cut Wood Item 171 404 HO Scale NIB US $11.50
|
 Campbell Models HO HOn3 Scale Open Deck Curved Trestle Wood Craftsman Kit US $9.95
|
 HO Trestle Bridge support Single Bent 3 3 4 high Bass Wood modular US $8.95
|
 Low Boy Trestle N Scale Kit Laser Cut Wood NIB US $7.90
|
repairing a wood table leg?
We own a late 19th century, round-oak, claw-foot table. Recently, the claw foot legs on the trestle base have become loosened. My attempts at tightening the bolts have not helped. Does anyone out there able to help me figure this out?
Maybe the draw bolts are pulling out of the legs. Take everything apart and see if they are loose. Try to tighten them in. If they still are loose, remove them and put a couple tooth picks along with some glue in the holes. Now screw the bolts back in. Let dry and re-assemble the table.