A gateleg table is a type of furniture first introuced in England in the 16th century. The table top has a fixed section and one or two hinged leaves, which, when not in use, folded down below the fixed section to hang vertically. The hinged section, or flap, was supported on pivoted legs joined at the top and bottom by stretchers constituting a gate. Large flaps had two supports, which had the advantage of providing freer leg space in the centre. Typically the table legs are supported by stretchers. The earliest gateleg tables of the 16th and 17th century were typically made of oak.