{{Short description|Type of trestle table}} {{globalize|US|date=June 2021}} A '''sawbuck table''' or '''X-frame table''' is a type of trestle table having X-shaped supports at either end. It takes its name from the similarity of these X-shaped supports to sawbucks.<ref name="daniele">{{Cite book | title = Building Early American Furniture | first = Joseph William | last = Daniele | publisher = Stackpole Books | page = 144 | year = 1974 | isbn = 9780811704205}}</ref> In addition to the supports, a sawbuck table is distinguished by a sturdy central rail and key-tenon joints holding the supports and central rail together.<ref name="shea">{{Cite book | title = Making Authentic Pennsylvania Dutch Furniture: With Measured Drawings | first = John G. | last = Shea | publisher = Courier Corporation | year = 2012 | page = 121 | isbn = 9780486157627 }}</ref> Historically, sawbuck tables also often featured footrests running the length of the table.<ref>{{Cite book | title = The Distelfink Country of the Pennsylvania Dutch | first = Mildred | last = Jordan | publisher = Crown Publishers | year = 1978 | page = 186 | isbn = 9780517532607 }}</ref>
The sawbuck table originated in Pennsylvania in the early 18th century, and is a characteristic example of Pennsylvania Dutch vernacular design.<ref name="shea"/> The design is sufficiently sturdy that some sawbuck tables have remained in regular use for over 200 years.<ref name="shea"/>
The earliest known modern picnic table was derived from the sawbuck table design, with the addition of attached benches on either side.<ref>{{Cite news | magazine = Places Journal | url = https://placesjournal.org/article/an-illustrated-history-of-the-picnic-table/ | accessdate = 2020-02-27 | title = An Illustrated History of the Picnic Table | first = Martin | last = Hogue | date = May 2018 }}</ref> Picnic table builders continued to experiment with sawbuck designs having separate benches until the invention of the modern A-frame picnic table in 1926.<ref>{{Cite book | last = Backman | first = Earl E. | year = 1967 | title = Recreation Facilities: A Personal History of Their Development in the National Forests of California, Volume 2 | publisher = Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=yOgoK9IM864C | oclc = 788561 | page = 17 }}</ref> Sawbuck-style picnic tables continue to be used, for example for backyard applications where attached seating is not required.<ref>{{Cite news | magazine = Popular Mechanics | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=ktQDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA70 | page = 70 | title = PM's Picks for Picnics | first = Rosario | last = Capotosto | date = August 1983 }}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
Category:German-American culture in Pennsylvania Category:Tables (furniture)