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The Origin of Cricket Tables

As the name goes cricket tables are in essence English pieces of furniture which were first created somewhere in the early 16th century. Examples of these tables have been often seen in Scotland, Ireland or Wales and such other places. In general terms, a ‘cricket table’ refers to an occasional table with a round top, set on top of 3 angled legs, usually with an under tier set between the legs. The three legged table concept was developed maybe because the three legged form is comparatively steadier on uneven ground, stone flag floors in the taverns, inns and cottages back then.
So why is it called a ‘cricket’ table? Is there any history between the game and these kinds of tables? Well the origin of these tables is more or less guesswork really. Whether the game came first or these tables? Assuming that these tables came into existence after the game of cricket, the association between the two is in terms of the three stumps in the game and the three stick legs of the table.
Another reference as to the cricket tables is in association with Crackets, which were low stools from the household furniture. The early reference of the word crackets, often spelt as cracketts of which the word cricket is a possible variation, is somewhere in the early 16th century. The crackets weren’t the milking stools as have been often mislabelled. The Cricket tables date from around the same period. The structure of the two is quite similar in nature with their three legs and a solid plank top, the height being the only distinction.
Arcadia Antiques has always maintained a good selection of Cricket Tables. There are variants in their original form as well as the painted versions of the same too. Of note is a 19th Century painted Welsh pine cricket table.

19th C painted Welsh pine cricket table. 1860
(1860).
Browse through our antique tables to see more cricket tables.

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