מסכת כלים

פרק כב משנה ב

השלחן

The [three-legged] table

that had one of its legs removed

is tahor;

if the second was removed it is tahor;

if the third was removed it is tamei

when he has intent for it [to be used as a tray];

Rabbi Yosi says

no intent is necessary;

and the same goes by a delphica (a small three-legged table used as a serving piece, akin to a sideboard),

ספסל

A bench

that had one of its ends removed (the ends are the bench's two wide legs, one at each end)

is tahor;

if the second is removed it is tahor (as sitting on the remaining part is like sitting on the ground);

if it (the remnant of the bench after its legs have been removed) has a height of one handbreadth

it is tamei;

a footstool (which, like the bench above, has two wide legs that are referred to as its "ends"),

that had one of its ends removed

is tamei (as one can still rest their feet upon it);

and the same goes for the seat (i.e. footstool) that is before a cathedra (an type of chair with an inclined, curved back and arms; this chair was ornate, and used by persons of higher status who presumably would not use such a damaged product; thus the mishnah here tells us that since it is still functional, it is tamei).