Oak Low-Boy with Shaped Apron and Pad Feet

Mid 18th century oak low-boy with shaped apron and pad feet

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Oak - Native to Europe and England, oak has been used for joinery, furniture and building since the beginning of the medieval civilisation. It is a pale yellow in colour when freshly cut and darkens with age to a mid brown colour.

Oak as a furniture timber was superceded by walnut in the 17th century, and in the 18th century by mahogany,

Semi-fossilised bog oak is black in colour, and is found in peat bogs where the trees have fallen and been preserved from decay by the bog. It is used for jewellery and small carved trinkets.

Pollard oak is taken from an oak that has been regularly pollarded, that is the upper branches have been removed at the top of the trunk, result that new branches would appear, and over time the top would become ball-like. . When harvested and sawn, the timber displays a continuous surface of knotty circles. The timber was scarce and expensive and was used in more expensive pieces of furniture in the Regency and Victorian periods.
Apron - A decorative wooden panel that sits underneath the top surface of a table or chair, and unites the top of the piece with the legs, running at right angles to the underside. On carcase furniture such as a chest or wardrobe, the apron sits below the drawers or doors and attaches to the legs.

On carcase furniture without legs the panel under the drawers or doors sits on the floor and is termed a plinth.

An apron can provide a decorative touch to an otherwise unadorned piece of furniture and at the same time provide structural support and strength. They can be carved or pierced and quite elaborate.
Pad Foot - In furniture design, a pad foot refers to a type of

furniture foot that is shaped like a flattened ball or pad. It is a common

design element in traditional furniture styles, particularly in English and

American furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries. The pad foot is typically

wider than it is tall, with a broad, flat surface that rests directly on the

floor. It is often carved or turned with decorative details, such as fluting or

ridges, and can be made from a variety of materials, such as wood, metal, or

leather.

Pad feet are used to support the legs of various types of

furniture, such as chairs, tables, and cabinets. They are often used in

combination with other types of feet, such as bun feet or bracket feet, to

create a more complex and decorative furniture design. In terms of

functionality, pad feet provide stability and support to furniture pieces, and

can help distribute the weight of the piece evenly across the floor. In terms

of design, they add a classic and traditional look to furniture designs, and

are often used to create a sense of elegance and refinement.

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