What is a reeded leg tea table?

A reeded leg tea table is a folding timber surface from the Georgian and Regency periods. The legs feature carved parallel vertical grooves known as reeding. These tables were designed to stand against a drawing room wall and open out when guests arrived for tea or card games.

How do you open the top?

The top consists of two matching leaves hinged together, where one leaf rotates on a pivot or swings out on a gate leg. The pivoting action reveals a polished timber surface supported securely by the frame. Care should be taken to support the weight evenly when operating the hinge mechanism on older tables.

What wood are they made from?

Mahogany is the primary timber used for these pieces, often paired with secondary woods like oak or pine inside the frame. Finer examples incorporate decorative boxwood inlay and satinwood borders. Cabinetmakers selected dense cuts of mahogany to achieve deep natural colour and a smooth polished finish.

How do I tell Regency from Georgian?

Georgian furniture generally displays heavier proportions, classical carvings, and bracket feet associated with the 18th century. Regency pieces lean towards lighter, more classical lines influenced by Greek and Roman designs. Reeded legs and brass decorative mounts become much more prominent in the Regency period.

Where should I place one?

These tables fit well in hallways as console surfaces or in living rooms placed against a wall with the top closed. Opening the leaf provides a practical surface for lamps, books, or decorative objects. Keep them away from direct heat sources and strong sunlight to protect the polished wood finish.

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Reeded Leg Tea Table

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These reeded leg tea table examples are classic period pieces of furniture designed for entertaining, prized for their slender turned supports and folding tops.