One of the nicer features found in Greene and Greene furniture...the splined key in table tops.

It is very much a decorative and sensual detail, but it does help in aligning the breadboard end with the bottom of the top.

A breadboard end stabilizes the top from warping. The Greenes knew that the top would move throughout the year and fixed the breadboard in the middle allowing the ends to move. At the same time, as in my example, the top is 17 1/4 wide and the breadboard is 17 1/2 wide allowing for the top to move.

Seeing as the top was glued up in early spring, I need to account for it to swell somewhat this summer. I've done tests before and have seen cherry swell 1/16 of an inch over a 5 inch span in one year.

Note: the keys are glued to the top and not the breadboard allowing them to move with the top.