Take-A-Boo Emporium is owned and operated by husband and wife team, Martin and Andrea Swinton. Located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, it is a distinctive shop offering vintage collectibles and fine antiques.

There is always a treasure to be found at reasonable prices for the incurable treasure hunter including:

crystal,
glass,
china,
vintage jewellery,
fine art,
retro,
clocks,
early 1900s furniture,
Asian art and
Oriental carpets.

Bring us your tired, broken, damaged furniture and we'll give it a new life because we do:Caning (hand and inset) Rushing Furniture restoration and repairs Appraisals Custom upholstery Consignment Silverplating

We'll Come to Your Next EventMartin's Antique Road Show style appearances are popular with Mom & Tots groups, church groups, community groups who are looking for an unique addition to their event. Contact us if you'd like Martin to appear at your community event.We'll Help You Get into the Antique BusinessWe provide consulting services to those interested in exploring the world of antiques as a dealer.

Antique Furniture 101: Drop Leaf Table to Whatnots

Here's a part two of last month's quick reference guide of some popular items you might have come across but were unsure of what they actually were.

Drop leaf table

It is a two-flap table with sides that can be extended with under-stretchers.

Dumb waiter

Designed to hold plates, desserts and/or cutlery, this type of furniture has a central shaft and circular trays. Older versions featured detachable circular trays. Dumb waiters were used in the salon or dining room for serving guests.

Gate-leg Table

A two-flap table with a two hinged legs that when extended raise the sides.

Highboy

Often called a chest-on-stand, a high boy is a chest-of-drawers on a stand. They were found in the bedroom and designed for disassembly.

Ladder-back chair

It is a chair with a series of horizontal back-rails.

Lowboy

It is a small dressing table.

Nesting tables

It is a series of three or four tables that fit one beneath the other.

Pedestal desk

It is a flat desk often with a leather top that stands on two banks of drawers. It is finished on the front so that it can be displayed in an office or library.

Pembroke Table

It is a small two-flap table that can be used as a side table. The centre section is wider than the two fold down sides.

Secretary

It is a writing table with a bookcase on top and has a fall front that lets down to provide a writing surface. The interior has slots and small drawers for organization. It often has drawers below.

Slat back chair

It is a type of chair with vertical slats across the back.

Tallboy

Often called a chest-on-chest, a tall boy is simply two tall chests-of-drawers, one smaller chest on top of the other slightly larger chest.

Teapoy

It is a small piece of furniture designed to hold tea. It was used to serve in the salon or dining room. Tea was a valuable commodity so it warranted special presentation.

Whatnot

It is a small mobile piece of furniture with open shelves, often made of mahogany. It could be moved around easily for multiple purposes to hold bric-a-brac.
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