A primitive three legged Elm chopping block with an wrought iron banding.

Tables or block such as this were made purely with function in mind with no concession made to style, aesthetics or fashions of the day.

The three-legged format meant that it would be stable on any uneven footing, be it workshop floor or a bumpy field, and the thick 9 inch top is of substantial enough depth to withstand any amount of abuse from a smith’s hammer or carpenter’s mallet. Whilst in the making of more formal furniture the sockets for the legs would have been accurately drilled with assistance from any number of jigs and running bevels, the irregular angles of the legs here suggest the brace-drill was plunged in without too much thought, the legs simply being levelled off at the end.

The honest and thick iron band repair is also testament to the use of the piece (and perhaps an indication of its owner) with retaining function over form being of paramount importance.