As early as 1809, Hugh Gray reported in "A Letter From Canada" that "the curled maple and bird's-eye maple make beautiful furniture". Perhaps Mr. Gray had seen this curled maple drop or fall-leaf table with its tapered legs inspired by Hepplewhite and its sophisticated rule-joints. Tea tables in this style were commonly found in the parlours of the "better-off". The parlour, itself, was a sign of the affluence and consequent leisure of the established settler.
Courtesy: Sigmund Samuel Canadiana Collection, Royal Ontario Museum
