Appreciating The Dining Table

A dining table is specifically designed for one main purpose, and that is for people to sit around and eat at during meal times. It is a place for the whole family to get together at least once a day and enjoy each others company. A dining table should be at a comfortable height with chairs which fit easily underneath and they should be convenient to use, reliable and sturdy and also good looking. At Oak Furniture Land we have a massive selection of beautiful oak dining tables in an array of various designs, from simple elegance to modern and chic. But before you begin browsing for the ideal dining table to suit your home, take a quick look at this article to find out a little bit more about the dining table and why we should all appreciate this wonderful piece of furniture.

Did you know that the word table was derived from the French word table and the old English word tabele originating from the Latin word tabula which means a board or a flat top piece? Some of the earliest tables were created and used by the ancient Egyptians and they began life as nothing more than stone or metal platforms which were used to keep things off of the floor. These primitive forms of tables were not used for seating people and instead food would be put onto large plates which would be placed onto a pedestal for consumption. Egyptians used a variety of tables and playing boards which were elevated from the ground and as well as the ancient Egyptians the Chinese also made very early tables so that they could pursue creative pastimes such as painting and writing.

It was the Romans and the Greeks who made use of tables mainly for eating at, and Greek tables would be pushed underneath a bed once they were finished with. It was actually the Greeks who invented many of the dining table forms we know today, and back then the dining tables would be made from marble, wood or a metal such as silver alloys and bronze. Later on, larger and more rectangular dining tables were formed from separate pillars and platforms and it was the Romans who introduced semicircular large tables into Italy which were called the Mensa lunata. During the Middle Ages furniture was not documented as much and were mainly used by noble types. In the Roman Empire dining tables were often made from wood or metal and would normally have four feet linked by stretchers in the shape of an x. Dining tables were more often than not, round or semicircles and very large.

It was during the 16th century that Refectory tables were introduced and these particular types of tables were evolved from the original trestle tables. The refectory table was very long and could hold a large banquet and was often used in the great hall of many castles. Nowadays, most homes have dining tables as they are often considered a necessity for sitting down at to eat. Designs of dining tables have become more modern and simple but they are still as sturdy and good looking as they were back then.

At Oak Furniture Land we pride ourselves in helping to bring you some of the best oak dining tables suitable for everyday use. With a range of sizes and designs available you can be sure that you will find one here which will suit your needs perfectly. Many people do not know just how important the dining table once was and still is, many a battle plan would have been derived over a feast at a dining table, and still today they are used for grand banquets and parties.

By: Paul Myers

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About the author: Oak Furniture Land supply solid oak and solid hardwood furniture such as coffee tables and dinning tables. Located in Gloucestershire, our warehouse holds over 200,000 sq ft of Solid Oak, Mango and Birch furniture in stock at anyone time. Read more articles at oak-furniture-land-blog.co.uk/ or visit our website www.oakfurnitureland.co.uk/category/oak_diningtables/