18th c. Thomas Sheraton Furniture Engraving: A Universal Table, From The Cabinet Maker And Upholsterer’s Drawing Book

Garnett Terry, London, 1791; Antique copperplate engraving from Thomas Sheraton’s landmark 18th century design and instruction manual for furniture designers, "The Cabinet Maker And Upholsterer’s Drawing Book In Four Parts." Plate #25 from Part III, showing a multipurpose table in two views, complete with dimensional callouts. Of this table Sheraton wrote in part, "The use of this piece is both to answer the purpose of a breakfast and a dining table. When both the leaves are flipped under the bed, it will then serve as a breakfast table. When one leaf is out, as in this view, it will accommodate five persons as a dining table, and if both are out, it will admit of eight, being near seven feet long and three feet six inches in width. The drawer is divided into six boxes at each side, as in the plan, and are found useful for different sorts of tea and sugar and sometimes for notes or the like. In this drawer is a slider lined with green felt to write on. The style of finishing is plain and simple with straight tapered legs, socket castors, and an astragal around the frame." Designed and drawn by Thomas Sheraton, engraved by J. Barlow. Published by Garnett Terry, Nov. 18th, 1791. An original plate, not a reproduction. Sheet size 7 3/4" x 10 1/2", matte window 7 1/4" x 10". Hinged and matted entirely acid free with 100% rag museum board in 11" x 14" size, ready for framing. Fine condition, clean, bright, and sharp. Scarce.