Trifid feet, from the Latin trifidus for “three parts” are a hallmark of Philadelphia furniture of the Queen Anne Period (1750 or so). I’m building a spice chest on stand from plans that I got from Olde Mill Cabinet Shop, and it includes trifid feet. Since I’ve never made
these before I have been practicing on basswood. On the left is my first attempt; besides struggling with the ankle (where the grain reverses) I can see that I’ve left the ankle and lower leg too square (Philadelphia legs were rounded, unlike those from farther north). The practice piece on the right is more like it. I still hand the conquered the reversing grain on the ankles though.
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