A stretcher is a horizontal support element of a table, chair or other item of furniture; this structure is normally made of exposed wood and ties vertical elements of the piece together. There are numerous styles of the stretcher including circumferential, double and spindle design.^[1] This term is sometimes referred to as a stretcher beam. A very common pattern for chairs has each front leg connected to the back by the lateral stretchers, which in turn are connected by a medial stretcher.In the William and Mary period chi (from the Greek letter chi - Χ) stretchers were common , connecting the legs diagonally, frequently with a finial where the strechers crossed.

[edit] See also

• Gateleg table
• Refectory table

[edit] Notes

This article about furniture or furnishing is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e