Antique Sideboards and Servers
An English 19thc. Gothic Revival Server / Console in Oak.
An English 19thc. Gothic Revival Server / Console in Oak. Fitted with 3 deep drawers, very good original ... Find out more
A very rare English 19th c. Hunt Table in mahogany.
This form of wine or social table was intended for after dinner drinking with the table pulled up in front of a fire and the decanter being passed on a pivotal coaster or chariot.
Also, used after a mornings Fox Hunting , when the table could be brought out in front of a roaring fire and the drinks chariot could be slid around the table on its track, holding a warming beverage.
The table closed serves as a very well proportioned serving ... Find out more
An English William IV period antique dumb waiter / server.
An English William IV period antique dumb waiter / server in ... Find out more
An English mid 19th century mahogany serving table.
An English mid 19th century mahogany serving table of good size and color, fitted with 3 working drawers in the ... Find out more
An English 19th c. mahogany 3 tier dumbwaiter
An English 19th c. mahogany 3 tier dumbwaiter, the piece is fitted with reeded columns that support each shelf and it stands on sturdy brass castors of good size, so the piece can be moved around ... Find out more
An English 19th c. Sheraton antique sideboard / server
This superb piece of furniture is comprised of a brass back rail (these were used originally to hold candle sconces and were decorated with matching fabric from the drapes in the room), the body of the sideboard is fitted with a cellarette drawer and two central drawers. The piece is finely decorated with various inlays and stands on six tapered ... Find out more
A Most Important English William IV Period antique Serving Table
An Early 19th century Mahogany Inverted Breakfront Serving Table, the shaped top above a cartouche-centered shaped frieze incorporating the coat of arms of Heathcote supported on carved baluster legs, standing on gadrooned block feet.
PROVENANCE: This piece was reputedly designed by Edward Blore (1787-1879) for Connington Castle from where it was purchased. Blore is best known for his architectural work at Buckingham Palace after John Nash was dismissed following the death of George IV in 1830. The serving table bears the ... Find out more
A Fine Quality English Antique Bow Fronted Georgian Sideboard on slender tapered legs with spade feet
A Fine Quality English Antique Bow Fronted Georgian Sideboard on slender tapered legs with spade ... Find out more
An important mahogany Irish antique sideboard attributed to Strahan of Dublin
An important mahogany armorial sideboard attributed to Strahan of Dublin, the back formed as triple mannerist pediments, the center one filled with armorial cartouche. The molded top with concave sides supported by double headed eagles, concave plinth bases. Family history ... Find out more
A magnificent English sideboard made for
A magnificent English antique sideboard made for "The Great Exhibition of 1851." A paper label on the underneath of the sideboard shows the piece to have been made by "Matthew Bland" of Halifax, England. This remarkable piece represents the very finest quality in 19th century cabinetmaking. Full history of the piece ... Find out more
A 19th century English antique sideboard or console table in rosewood
A 19th century English William IV period antique sideboard or console table in ... Find out more
An overview of antique sideboards and serving tables
In the 17th century, long serving pieces known as slab tables could be found in the kitchens of English homes. The earliest designs included marble tops for they were used in the preparation of the meal. This way food could be cut and prepared on its surface without damaging the wood underneath. They would have open cabinets below for easy access to serving implements.
Unlike cupboards, which were designed primarily for containing plates and cups, sideboards were intended to be used in the presentation of the food being served. Before food was served for royalty, it was first placed upon the sideboard to be tasted for poison, so as to provide truth or “credence” to what was being served. The term credenza originated from this practice.
Eventually the designs of these pieces would incorporate more elegant fixtures and finer woods, such as rosewood, mahogany, oak and walnut. Beautiful craftsmanship turned them into formal pieces for living rooms and parlors to showcase items of great value in fine English homes. They replaced the less sophisticated cupboards that had been favored previously in wealthy medieval halls.
In 1788 Hepplewhite’s Guide featured an illustration of a sideboard. This would be one of the earliest appearances of such a piece. The guide showcased the sideboard as having ample storage with its multiple compartments and drawers. In addition to being a fine serving piece, sideboards were used to store silver flatware and other serving items.
Near the end of the 18th century, fine craftsmanship and inlaid detail found in English sideboards led to their becoming a regular fixture in the finest American dining rooms.
Most antique sideboards that were made through the Georgian, Regency, William IV and Victorian periods all had designed into them cellaret drawers where liquid refreshments be it wine, ale or liquors could be housed. The likes of Sheraton, Chippendale and Hepplewhite all incorporated several designs of sideboard in their design books. Throughout the 18th, and 19th centuries the major English cabinet makers such as Gillows, Wright and Mansfield, Edwards and Roberts, Holland and Sons all took this basic design and elaborated on it's theme producing English made pieces that had the look of Irish, French, Italian and European antiques.
Daniels Antiques has some of the finest examples of this craftsmanship in our showroom. Duing the 19th century some of the finest examples of furniture that have ever been created were made to be exhibited. We are fortunate to own such an example that being :
A magnificent English antique sideboard made for "The Great Exhibition of 1851." A paper label on the underneath of the sideboard shows the piece to have been made by "Matthew Bland" of Halifax, England. This remarkable piece represents the very finest quality in 19th century cabinetmaking. There is a full history of the piece available.