A rare, long, James I, oak, drawleaf table extending to 15ft., 6 in.
10144
Both the top and leaves are made from two, central, oak planks surrounded by a cleated, oak frame. The underside lopers and lifting mechanism are replaced. The crisp, acanthus leaf carving and the gadrooning on the frieze is surmounted by architectural, dentil ornamentation which is entirely intact. The acanthus leaf and gadrooned cup-and-cover turned legs are headed with ionic capitals. The legs are mounted on blocks joined by square stretchers.
Period drawleaf tables rarely come onto the open market, and an exceptional feature of this table is that it extends to 15ft., 6 in. As far as I can see, there are only two illustrated examples, which are both in the Dictionary of English Furniture (see below), that could have originally extended to this size. This table is in remarkable original condition with the exception of some replacements to the lifting mechanism which allows the leaves to be easily brought in and out. Due to the restrained proportions of the legs it is most likely that this table was made from the beginning of the 17th century when bulbous legs became less pronounced.
This table came from a house in Buckinghamshire and is museum quality.
Reference
The Dictionary of English Furniture (Edwards), Tables, Dining and Hall, Figure 6 illustrates an 8ft., 2 in. drawleaf table in the Burrell Collection which has lost its leaves and figure 8 illustrates what appears to be another long drawleaf table, the property of Mr Tilden. Figures 7, 9 & 12 illustrate other drawleaf tables in the V&A collection and the property of Colonel Colville.
A History of English Furniture, The Age of Oak (Macaquoid), figure 107 illustrates a 7ft., 3 in., drawleaf table bearing similarities, the property of Sir Charles Lawes-Wittwronge, Bart
Oak Furniture (Chinnery) illustrates drawleaf tables in figures 3:160 & 3:161.
Recent Auction Results :
Oak Furniture, Christies, 4th November 1998, lot 1079, an Elizabethan drawleaf table base which, I believe and am verifying, sold for in excess of £ 20,000.
Clive Sherwood Collection, Sothebys, 22nd May 2002, lot 249, the Birtsmorton Table, an Elizabethan drawleaf table which extends to 12ft. 1 in., sold for £ 25,850
Oak Furniture, Christies, 10th November 2004, lot 339, an early-17th century drawleaf table, which extended to 5ft. 1in. sold for £ 37,045
Drawleaf tables in public collections :
The V& A Museum
The Burrell Collection
The Treasurer's House, York
The Geffrye Museum
Hardwick Hall
Oak
England
, that could have originally extended to this size. This table is in remarkable original condition with the exception of some replacements to the lifting mechanism which allows the leaves to be easily brought in and out. Due to the restrained proportions of the legs it is most likely that this table was made from the beginning of the 17th century when bulbous legs became less pronounced.This table came from a house in Buckinghamshire and is museum quality.ReferenceThe Dictionary of English Furniture (Edwards), Tables, Dining and Hall, Figure 6 illustrates an 8ft., 2 in. drawleaf table in the Burrell Collection which has lost its leaves and figure 8 illustrates what appears to be another long drawleaf table, the property of Mr Tilden. Figures 7, 9 & 12 illustrate other drawleaf tables in the V&A collection and the property of Colonel Colville. A History of English Furniture, The Age of Oak (Macaquoid), figure 107 illustrates a 7ft., 3 in., drawleaf table bearing similarities, the property of Sir Charles Lawes-Wittwronge, BartOak Furniture (Chinnery) illustrates drawleaf tables in figures 3:160 & 3:161.Recent Auction Results :Oak Furniture, Christies, 4th November 1998, lot 1079, an Elizabethan drawleaf table base which, I believe and am verifying, sold for in excess of £ 20,000. Clive Sherwood Collection, Sothebys, 22nd May 2002, lot 249, the Birtsmorton Table, an Elizabethan drawleaf table which extends to 12ft. 1 in., sold for £ 25,850 Oak Furniture, Christies, 10th November 2004, lot 339, an early-17th century drawleaf table, which extended to 5ft. 1in. sold for £ 37,045Drawleaf tables in public collections :The V& A MuseumThe Burrell CollectionThe Treasurer's House, YorkThe Geffrye MuseumHardwick Hall){kind=link}