The Mechanisms of Flying Tables in France: Principles and Originality / Stéphane Castelluccio
Flying tables appear to be one of the practical and spectacular applications of knowledge in the field of mechanical science, which experienced spectacular growth from the second half of the 17th century onwards in Europe.
My presentation will examine the tables designed and crafted in France from the mid-18th century onwards for Louis XV, and subsequently for a private individual, Pierre Élisabeth de Fontanieu. Although these tables no longer exist, their mechanisms can be reconstructed thanks to archival documents. Louis XV requested a specific mechanism that differed from those used for tables in northern Europe and Russia. The same was true of the table made for Fontanieu, owing to significant architectural constraints. However, whilst the effects were different, their design drew on the same mechanical principles used for all flying tables across Europe.
Their 3D reconstruction based on the memories of craftsmen, plans and rare descriptions is indispensable and highly instructive for understanding the originality and functioning of these mechanisms.