There are two distinct furniture forms known as a dumb waiter. The Georgian version od the dumb waiter consisted of three revolving circular trays attached to a central pedestal column, usually on a tripod base. It was used for holding plates and tea cups in the drawing-room. Generally made from mahogany, some varieties were contrived so that the trays were collapsible. In the later 19th century the term was applied to a two or three tiered form, with turned legs and supports, used for dishes and crockery in the dining room.

Often intriguing, is the nineteenth century metamorphic 'rise-and-fall' dumb waiter, in which the three tiers converge and convert the item to a side table by means of telescopic arms and counterbalanced weights.
Many Australian examples survive in cedar, blackwood and pine. Its descendant is the small tray mobile beloved of tea ladies and hostesses.

12 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

An early Victorian mahogany telescopic dumb waiter, circa 1840s,…

Victorian Mahogany Telescopic Dumb Waiter with Tulip Motif

An early Victorian mahogany telescopic dumb waiter, circa 1840s, the trestle based table with a turned stretcher with tulip motif and raised on lion's paw feet with porcelain casters, 76 cm high, 138 cm wide, 47 cm deep

An early Victorian metamorphic mahogany dumb waiter, circa 1840,…

Victorian Mahogany Metamorphic Dumb Waiter Table

An early Victorian metamorphic mahogany dumb waiter, circa 1840, the stretcher-based table with plank style supports containing a 'Rise and fall' mechanism, a centurion and tulip carved stretcher and cabriole trestle ends with whorl feet and brass casters…

William IV mahogany servery. Telescopic three tier servery…

William IV Mahogany Three Tier Servery

William IV mahogany servery. Telescopic three tier servery supported on twin columns and central stretcher. Height 86 cm, length 128 cm, depth 50 cm.

William IV mahogany telescopic dumbwaiter wine table with…

Antique Mahogany Dumbwaiter Wine Table

William IV mahogany telescopic dumbwaiter wine table with faceted column, circa 1835, Converts to a wine table, lovely mellow patina, 106 cm high, 53.5 cm long, 53.5 cm deep

A William IV mahogany telescopic servery. 112 cm high, 112 cm…

William IV Mahogany Telescopic Servery (10 words)

A William IV mahogany telescopic servery. 112 cm high, 112 cm wide, 54 cm deep

A cedar telescopic three tier dumb-waiter, Australian, circa…

Cedar Three-Tier Dumb-Waiter, Australian, 1870

A cedar telescopic three tier dumb-waiter, Australian, circa 1870, 127 cm high, 123 cm wide, 62 cm deep. Literature: Australian Furniture: Pictorial History and Dictionary, 1788-1938, Kevin Fahy and Andrew Simpson, Casuarina Press Ptd Ltd, Woollahra plate…

Victorian mahogany three tier telescopic dumb waiter

Victorian Mahogany Dumb Waiter with Three Tiers

Victorian mahogany three tier telescopic dumb waiter

Victorian mahogany metamorphic dumb waiter three oblong shelves,…

Victorian Mahogany Metamorphic Dumb Waiter with Ceramic Casters

Victorian mahogany metamorphic dumb waiter three oblong shelves, turned stretcher, bun feet with original white ceramic casters

Victorian style metamorphic dumbwaiter with low shelves.…

Victorian Metamorphic Dumbwaiter with Low Shelves

Victorian style metamorphic dumbwaiter with low shelves. Diameter 55 cm

Antique French mahogany dumb waiter telescopic movement, approx…

Antique French Mahogany Telescopic Dumb Waiter

Antique French mahogany dumb waiter telescopic movement, approx 103 cm high (extended), 90 cm wide

Good late Victorian mahogany telescopic dumb waiter, fitted…

Victorian Mahogany Telescopic Dumb Waiter

Good late Victorian mahogany telescopic dumb waiter, fitted with spindle galley and leaf capped scroll legs with central spindle stretcher, 112 cm high open x 91 cm wide

A mid 19th century mahogany telescopic dumb waiter with turned…

Mahogany Telescopic Dumb Waiter with Three Tiers

A mid 19th century mahogany telescopic dumb waiter with turned stretcher and architectural supports, opening to three tiers, small restoration required. Height 110 cm. Width 134 cm. Depth 57 cm