why did victorians cover table legs?

Answer 1

The AFU and Urban Legend Archive
Misc
Victorian legs

The Victorians did not always cover table or chair legs.
In the dining room, the opulence of carved or worked decoration of the table legs was a sign of wealth, and the legs were never covered - similarly the chairs.

J&M Miller refer to the custom of covering tables in the drawing room with shawls: "A custom of draping tables with fringed fabrics meant that the lower middle classes could disguise ordinary pine tables."

The illustrations in the various books are photographs of actual Victorian rooms or rooms which have been lovingly restored or preserved. Nearly all are examples of rooms in upper class homes. There is little covering of furniture legs in these examples.

J&M Miller also refers to the paintings likely to be hung, saying that despite the prudish attitudes of the Victorians, nudes were acceptable, as long as the subject wore a blank or vacant expression.

The impression I get is that drapery in upper class homes was an expression of wealth and fashion. In middle class homes, it was an expression of aspiration or a welcome chance to disguise relative lack of means. Modesty, yes, but of a class-guilt nature than one of morals.

Answer 2

They didn't like to see any sort of legs-don't know why-even table legs, so they covered them. It's a bit strange, but it's the way they were...

Answer 3

Because at the time even table legs were deemed to inspire impure thoughts. Even trousers were referred to as "unmentionables" simply through their proximity to legs/other bits. The Victorians were somewhat prudish.....

Answer 4

Because legs were considered obscene even table legs

Answer 5

In order to stop men thinking about womens legs and having impure thoughts.


Ankles covered now ladies!!

Answer 6

BECAUSE THEY WERTE SEXUALY SURPRESSED AND SAW EVIL EVEN IN TABLE LEGS . SICKOO,S

Answer 7

Furniture porn, still popular:
http://www.furnitureporn.com/

Answer 8

don't know