When not in use, and sometimes even then, such tables were protected by coloured linen cloths.  By preference this ancient equivalent of “the best mahogany” was supported on a single leg, consisting of elephants’ tusks or of sculptured marble.  On three sides are placed the couches, covered with mattresses stuffed with flock or feathers, and provided with soft cushions for the left arm to rest upon.  Sometimes, instead of the three separate couches, there was but one large couch shaped like a crescent, either extending round half the large circular table, or having more than one smaller table placed before it.  Tables in other rooms were scarcely to be found, since, as has already been remarked, they were not required for reading or writing or for holding the various articles which we moderns place upon them.  Besides the dining tables we should generally find only a sideboard placed in the dining-room for the display of articles of plate.  This was either of ornamental wood or of marble with a sculptured stand, and was distinctly meant for show.  In place of tables for supporting necessary objects we find tripods, either of bronze or marble, with a flat top and sometimes with a rim.

[Illustration:  FIG. 51.—­TRIPOD FROM HERCULANEUM.]

Other articles of household furniture were chests and presses or wardrobes.  It was almost a rule that in the hall, at the side or end, should stand a low heavy chest—­occasionally more than one—­sometimes made of iron, sometimes of wood bound with bronze and decorated with metal-work in relief.  In this were contained supplies of money and other articles of value, and for this reason it was strongly locked and often fastened to the ground by a vertical rod of iron.  Such a chest is still to be seen in its place in the House of the Vettii at Pompeii.  Of portieres, curtains and awnings enough has been said, except that they were also used for draping the less ornamental walls.  Mirrors were apparently plentiful.  No mention is made of such articles in glass, probably because the ancients had not yet learned to make that material sufficiently pure and true or to provide it with the proper foil or background.  For the most part they were made of highly polished copper, bronze, or silver.  The smaller ones were held in the hand, the handle and back parts being richly and often tastefully ornamented.  There is an epigram extant which tells of a vindictive Roman dame who struck her maid to the ground with her mirror, because she detected a curl wrongly placed.  Other mirrors were made so as to stand upon a support, and there is mention of some sufficiently large to show the full length of the body.

[Illustration:  FIG. 52.—­CHEST (STRONG-BOX).]

[Illustration:  FIG. 53.—­MIRRORS.]