17th Century William & Mary Oak Gateleg Dining Table from Elaine Phillips Provenance, 1690

Details

Description

A handsome and substantial late 17th-century English oak gateleg dining table, dating to the William & Mary period, circa 1685–1700, … Read more A handsome and substantial late 17th-century English oak gateleg dining table, dating to the William & Mary period, circa 1685–1700, with exceptional colour, beautifully figured oak and documented provenance dating back to 1988.

The table was purchased from Elaine Phillips Antiques Ltd of Harrogate on 13 September 1988. The surviving original invoice describes it as a:

“William & Mary oak gate leg table of fine colour & condition”

Constructed predominantly from oak, the table has a generous oval top comprising a central fixed section with two substantial hinged drop leaves. When fully extended it provides an impressive dining surface, while the leaves can be lowered independently, allowing the table to occupy a considerably smaller footprint when not required at its full size.

The base is constructed with turned and block-section supports joined by low stretchers, with distinctive shaped feet to the fixed frame and turned feet to the articulated gate supports. The gates swing outward beneath the leaves to support the table when opened.

A single frieze drawer is positioned at one end and retains an aged brass ring handle.

One of the outstanding features of this table is the quality and character of the oak. The large top displays pronounced figuring and medullary rays, with a wonderfully rich, dark brown surface developed over centuries of use. Historic marks, wear and variation across the timber contribute enormously to its appearance and character.

The table retains numerous signs of its considerable age, including old pegged construction, historic ironwork, repairs, patches, splits and areas of wear. Rather than detracting from the piece, these provide a visible record of a piece of furniture that has remained in use for more than three centuries.

The survival of the original Elaine Phillips Antiques documentation is particularly desirable. It provides an unusually strong piece of provenance for furniture of this type and records its attribution to the William & Mary period by a specialist antique furniture dealer almost forty years ago.

A highly decorative yet genuinely practical piece of early English furniture that could continue to serve as a dining table while bringing considerable history and character to an interior. See less