Table Architecture
by Mark A. Nye
Issue No. 263 - March 1995
On April 23, 1937, Cambridge filed a patent application for a "table
decorating unit." As the patent states, the unit is a candlestick that
can be used singly or collectively and furthermore can be used in a
horizontal position as a flower holder.
This candlestick became the
building block for what Cambridge termed "TABLE ARCHITECTURE." These
units were incorporated into the Pristine line. Prior to filing for the
patent, Cambridge registered a trademark that used the words table
architecture. This trademark is seen to the left, and also in the upper
left hand corner of
the catalog page reprinted with this article. In late 1937 the TABLE
ARCHITECTURE line was featured in national advertising.
The balance of this article consists of a page from the 1940 Cambridge catalog showing the TABLE ARCHITECTURE line, the patent and its drawings. The patent has been retyped and the link is to the drawing that is referred to in the text. [NOTE: if the drawing doesn't appear right, wait until the page finishes loading, then hit your browser's "RELOAD" button and the proper drawing will appear.]
Patented May 3, 1938 - No. 2,115,962
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE
2,115,962
TABLE DECORATING UNITWilbur L. Orme, Cambridge, Ohio
Application April 23, 1937, Serial No. 138,602
3 Claims. (CL. 240--2)This invention relates to articles for home and table decoration, and more particularly to a candlestick capable of use singly or collectively in groups, and in combinations with other articles of decoration whereby numerous attractive decorative arrangements may be achieved.
One of the objects of this invention is to provide a modest shaped candlestick unit, preferably of crystal glass, which may be utilized in groups in decorative schemes in numerous positions and in various combinations wherein the hostess or interior decoration may secure a variety of tasteful settings.
Another object of the invention is to provide a candlestick unit which may be disposed in either a vertical plane or a horizontal plane to serve a dual purpose in the creation of decorative schemes.
The invention is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of one of the candlestick units:
Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 2-2, Fig. 1;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a group of candlestick units arranged in a decorative scheme, the units being disposed in horizontal plane;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a group of candlestick units arranged in another decorative scheme, the units being disposed in a vertical plane;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a group of the units arranged in combination with a blower bowl or similar article; and
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a group of the units arranged in a still different combination, some of the units being disposed in a vertical plane and the others being disposed in a horizontal plane.
Referring to said drawings, the reference numeral 2 designates a candlestick unit having one of its edges of substantially stepped formation and having a candle socket 3 provided in its upper end. The opposite faces of the unit 2 are provided with recesses or offset areas 5 of an appropriate depth for a purpose which will hereinafter be fully explained.
As shown in Figure 4 of the drawings, the units 2 may be disposed in a vertical plane in groups in numerous combinations to afford varying decorative schemes.
Moreover, as shown in Figure 2, a plurality of the units may be disposed on their sides in a horizontal plane, in which even the recesses 5 are preferable filled with water, sand or the like, so as to receive cut flowers, the stems of which have been cut short so as to be conveniently accommodated by the shallow recesses 5. Additionally, the recesses may serve as ash trays, may hold nut meats, or serve other uses both ornamental and utilitarian.
Figure 5 of the drawings depicts the candlesticks disposed vertically and supporting a bowl 10 by means of the stepped formation of the units. Manifestly, the bowl may contain flowers, fruit, and the like.
The arrangement illustrated in Fig. 6 shows four of the units arranged to receive cut flowers and four units arranged to serve as candlesticks.
While several combinations or arrangements have herein been shown and described, it will be understood that the same are merely illustrative of a very few of the countless combinations possible. Obviously the number of groupings possible is limited only by the limit of artistic ingenuity of the decorator or hostess. Suffice it is to say that the invention affords possibilities of varying decorative schemes ever new, artistic and different.
What is claimed is--
- In a device of the character described, a candlestick unit having one of its edges of stepped formation terminating with the provision of a candle socket, and an offset area provided in its vertical walls adapting said unit to serve as a receptacle when said unit is disposed with said offset uppermost.
- In a device of the character described, a decorative unit having one of its edges of stepped formation and terminating with a candle socket in its upper surface when the unit occupies a vertical plane, and having an offset area in its side walls adapting it to serve as a receptacle for decorative items when said unit is disposed to occupy a horizontal plane, said unit having a symmetrical outline adapting it to be grouped with a plurality of similar units to form varying decorative combinations.
- In a device of the character described, a decorative unit having a candle socket in its upper surface when the unit occupies a vertical plane, and having an offset area in its side walls adapting it to serve as a receptacle for decorative items when in the later position and the offset area being rendered useless a receptacle when the device occupies its first mentioned vertical plane.
Wilbur L. Orme
