Featured Darling Diminutive Two Tier Tripod Table

This table is only 29 inches tall. I thought it might be English but I think it is American - Federal style probably 1940's or so. Would this have been used for deserts? I am assuming with the handle it was meant to display bonbons or small deserts. The only manufacturing mark I can find it incised BB under the bottom. Thoughts?

 

Not normally seen in the 'desert' but would be great for desserts!

 

ARGH!!!! Note to self.....no posting on message boards in the morning without coffee first!

 

Still, a nice refreshing dessert could be just what you need in a hot desert.

 

I will never live this down

 

Could be as early as the 40s or even a decade or 2 later. Small occasional table for a multitude of uses. I don't recognize the mark.

 

Just don’t desert us Laura9797!!

 

Oh gawd the shame of it all.............keep it coming!

 

Please don't worry Laura, we've all been there.
(Maybe not in the desert, but typos, yes)

 

This table reminds me of what my Dad used to sell back in the 60s when he represented Butler Specialty Co. out of Chicago. They make a wide variety of specialty items which were often small tables like this one.

 

Well, if you don't use it for desserts out in the desert; you could use it for plants making a sweet little oasis!
Leslie

 

Good old dumb waiter. Made for serving food and drink (in usually damp, cold, and very green islands on the edge of Europe) but often seen used as display tables. Nice.

 

I had thought about calling it a dumbwaiter but the size is quite diminutive at 29". The diameter of the bottom tier is only about 11 inches.

 

I have heard that too, "dumb waiter", but not sure exactly why.

"Dumb waiters were often used in pairs in large houses from the mid-18th century. When the ladies retired after dinner, the dumb waiters were then placed at the end of the table by the footmen. This was then laden with alcoholic drink so the gentlemen could help themselves without too much exertion. Because the staff had retired for the evening, the conversation could open up more, hence the name dumb waiter."

 

The above may/may not be correct.

 

I've never heard that definition of dumb waiter. I only knew of the machine that went up and down a shaft and took away dirty dishes.

But when looking at it, I did think it would look nice on a table. I was thinking in the middle of something more but with food on it.

 

I have catalogued many dumb waiters but they are never 29 inches in height.

 

No, but a lot of tables are 29" which this could be, especially if it's newer as @verybrad thinks it is. It's too cute, unique, nice for words, I would have definitely bought it even if I didn't know where it would go.

 

Right, the American version of dumb waiter, below is Shelly Long using one in the "Money Pit"