This is a favourite problem in woodwork for boys, because the
tabourette can be put to many uses. It may hold books or magazines,
serve as a pedestal for a jardinière, for vases of flowers, for
smokers' sets, etc. Its forms are many, and the methods of finishing
and decorating infinite.
The five styles shown in Figs. 177 and 178 are perhaps the most common
ones, and they are arranged according to the difficulty of construction.
No. 1. Has a circular top supported by square legs, bound to a lower
shelf.
No 2. Has an octagonal top supported by flat legs, which are held
together by two strips halved together at the centre, and mortised
through the legs. It is stronger than No. 1.
No 3. Is the familiar hexagonal form, with only three legs, made rigid
by fastening to an hexagonal shelf.
No. 4. Is the standard square form in mission style, mortised together.
No 5. One of the simplest in appearance, is the most difficult to
construct, because of the six long joints mitred at 120 degrees, the
well-known Moorish style.
As it is easily possible for any boy to make any of these tabourettes
with ordinary tools and ordinary patience, they will be taken up in
detail.