Tiger maple drop leaf table

[japple]

Thank you everyone for the great responses. I was confused because someone told me that the barly twist was more an english style and the tiger maple more american. Now I know better.

A couple more questions. Of all the tables I've looked at online, most had 6 legs. Some had 4 legs with a swing out block or other hardware. I didn't come accross any that had only 4 legs-with 2 of them that open. Is this a characteristic that would narrow down the orgin or maker? Is there a name for this type?

[mart]

That is correct !!  Typically most tables ect. with the barley twist that you come across are English !!  Back in the 70`s and 80`s English antique furniture was brought here by shiploads !! That was when prices were pretty good !! So there are many examples of English barley twist furniture available for sale at low prices now !! And like Jacon4 said the style did originate in England  !!  Eventually American cabinetmakers began using many of the details of their English counterparts !!  Just a bit later !!
That design could lead to a named maker but since each cabinetmaker added his own twist to whatever he was making it would take someone more knowledgable than me to say who it might be !!  Perhaps Jacon4 might have a clue !!  There were many gateleg designs and searching for just one maker will be a job !!  Can I ask what area you are in or what area the table came from ?? Perhaps we can narrow down the search area

[japple]

Forgive me but I have to ask. When you say 70's and 80's, what century do you mean? 1900's or 1800's?

As far as where the table came from, all I can say for sure is the midwest usa. Illinois, Wisconsin, or Indiana. That's where my parents lived. If I had to guess, it came from a pair of old ladies in the north suburbs of chicago, whom my Dad was a caretaker for. All I remember of them is that they were REALLY old back in the 70's, both widowed and wealthy. Maybe of German decent, or somewere middle european. I was only 10 years old at the time, but I remember they had a heavy accent. I know thier geneology has nothing to do with this table, but that's all I remember.

[jacon4]

Most early American furniture is not signed, indeed, the world record price for an american piece, 12.8 million for a Goddard/Townsend chippendale desk/bookcase is not signed. So, although they know it came from this group of famous cabinetmakers shop in Newport R.I., they dont know who actually built it. Without a signature or rock solid provenance, the makers of early american furniture are unknown. Not sure this answers your question,lol, because i am not following what the question is.

[mart]

Jacon4, the main question was ,,if the design of the table ( 4 legs rather than the six legs that are commonly found) would give a hint as to who the cabinetmaker may have been !!
And sorry about that but I meant the 1970`s and 80`s !! I had my shop then and English furniture was everywhere !! A local dip strip warehouse bought it by the semi-load in all sorts of conditions !! I always tried to get there as fast as I could after delivery and before he dip stripped the whole lot !! Had some pretty nice English furniture !! I bought a number of pieces from them !!

[jacon4]

Jacon4, the main question was ,,if the design of the table ( 4 legs rather than the six legs that are commonly found) would give a hint as to who the cabinetmaker may have been !!

LOL, ok, noooooooooooooooooo oooo. 4 legs are commonly found on smaller tables like a Pembroke because the leafs are much smaller, dining tables tend to be much larger so a gate or swing out leg is more functional. I would guess that in America, more than 90% of existing furniture built  prior to 1850 is by an unknown maker.