What exactly is a sideboard in the first place? It is a piece of furniture, which has been in use for around 140 years.
The antique sideboards started out many years ago as an alteration of the side table or serving table. This was simply a table that was set against the wall, on which dishes were set to be more convenient to serve hot or cold.
This arrangement was first seen somewhere near the mid 18th century. Some of the side tables had marble tops which were suitable for hot foods. While this was a good idea soon, the side tables were being made from less ornamental materials, such as mahogany or other woods.
Small pedestal tables were added, one to serve hot food, the other for cold. These tables were usually placed on either end of the side table. Other improvements were added here and there, such as brass rails, candle holders, and urns, and containers to hold silver.
Eventually this arrangement was redesigned to place all of the storage, and serving functions in one unit. The sideboard was born.
When the antique sideboards were first designed, they were likely more utilitarian that what you might find in the average antique shop these days. However, when certain furniture makers got into the act, the designs became more ornate, and aesthetically pleasing.
If you are at all familiar with antiques, the names Hepplewhite, and Chippendale are well known. Lesser known to the general public at large is the name of Thomas Shearer. While Hepplewhite is often thought of when fine furniture is discussed, Thomas Shearer is the one who is responsible for combining the element which became the sideboard.
Shearer created an inlaid mahogany sideboard with slender legs which has been incorrectly attributed to both Hepplewhite and Chippendale.
Thomas Shearer was a London based cabinet maker and published a book on furniture in 1788, which included designs for sideboards. Some of these designs has a serpentine, and inlaid look to them, which was adopted by Hepplewhite a year later.
You can find antique sideboards at many antique stores, and estate sales, but a word of caution should be mentioned here. In the world of antique furniture there are many reproductions, copies, and outright fakes.
If you have ever seen the PBS series, “Antique Roadshow” you have probably seen people who are disappointed because the 250 year old roll top desk that they paid an outrageous amount of money for was actually made by a clever wood worker in his garage.
This article was added on Thursday 10 June, 2010.
