Portsmouth Tea Table

An airy and exotic mahogany table measured from one of six surviving examples made by Robert Harrold in Portsmouth, NH in the mid 18th century.
May 11 – May 16, 2020
November 9 – November 14, 2020

This airy and exotic mahogany table is measured from one of six surviving examples made by Robert Harrold in Portsmouth, NH in the mid 18th century. The original is now in the Diplomatic Reception Rooms of the State Dept. In the “Chinese Taste”, this table’s delicate stretchers, corner brackets, gallery and pierced finial make it a standout among other tables of the period.

Portsmouth Tea Table

In class we’ll be veneering the skirts, carving stretchers, molding legs with a plane and fretsawing brackets and gallery sections. Students will learn the skills in class to finish any incomplete work at home at their own pace. It will be a busy and educational 6 days and a great opportunity to create an exceptional piece of colonial furniture.

I will provide all stock, cut to size where possible, a turned finial and the custom metal brackets that fasten the legs to the stretchers as in the original table.

Material: mahogany, mahogany veneers and maple and birch secondary wood
Dimensions: 22 ½ x 32 ½ x 28 H

Tool List

  • Fretsaw
  • Veneer hammer
  • Low angle block plane
  • Spokeshave
  • X-acto knife
  • Cabinet scraper blade (Lie-Nielsen Hand Scraper Set is perfect)
  • Mill bastard file
  • ¾” paring chisel
  • Small triangular file
  • Carving tools, all straight gouges: 3-8, 5-20, 7-10, 14, 20, 8-13, 9-10

10% Off Lie-Nielsen Tools

Lie-Nielsen will give a 10% discount on any tools purchased by students for a class. This only applies to tools they make, not other brands that they carry.

Class Information

School Information & Policies

Class Schedule

May 11 – May 16, 2020
8:00am – 5:30pm
Registration Closed
November 9 – November 14, 2020
8:00am – 5:30pm
Registration Closed