Sideboard Table

Sideboard Table Charleston, South Carolina 1750-1765 Mahogany, cypress, and marble HOA: 30 1/4"; WOA: 40"; DOA: 22 3/4" Funds courtesy of the Hanes, Short, Melchor and Kaufman families (3163)

Sideboard Table
Charleston, South Carolina
1750-1765
Mahogany, cypress, and marble
HOA: 30 1/4″; WOA: 40″; DOA: 22 3/4″
Funds courtesy of the Hanes, Short, Melchor and Kaufman families (3163)

Marble provided an ideal surface for mixing and serving drinks.  It was cool to the touch, water resistant, and was conspicuously costly. When paired with a carved mahogany table frame a sideboard like this one telegraphed the elite status of its owner.  A sideboard table also implied access to servants – usually slaves – who would mix and serve from the sideboard table while guests remained seated at the dining table.