A very nice example of a George III period, shaped drop-leaf, large dining table in excellent condition, made from good quality solid mahogany and seating up to eight, with the four straight legs chamfered on the inside, two of the legs rotating 90 degrees outwards to support the large and shaped flaps.
Lovely patination and grain.
There's plenty of height to the table, so it's comfortable to sit at - no squashed legs.
No repairs or restoration, with all original screws and hinges underneath.
This table has had a very easy life! It's been in the same family since 1910 - only being used on special occasions - and before that, it could have been at Ickworth House, see provenance below.
Provenance:
My father, Peter Harding of Quainton, Buckinghamshire, researched the table while researching and creating a family tree. He writes:
"The Bury St Edmunds Table.
Rhoda Smith, born 19th July 1880, at Fornham All Saints, Suffolk came to work as a Laundry Maid at Waddesdon Manor, Bucks. Here she met George Harding and they were married on 27th December 1905 at St James, Bury St Edmonds.
As part of setting up her home in Waddesdon she brought with her the two-leaf, mahogany table, which was always displayed with great pride in the family house. It is not known where Rhoda obtained this table from but it is thought it may have come from the Ickworth Park estate.
Rhoda’s grandfather, William Smith was a groom, when Henry, Rhoda’s father was born in 1851, suggesting that William had contacts with the estate. Rhoda’s mother, Martha was born in a village, Horringer that is close by, so in both instances, family members are likely to have connections with the estate.
When Rhoda died in 1974, her property was left to her unmarried daughter who lived at the house with her. Eventually, when this daughter died, the table was given to one of Rhoda’s sons Reginald. Reginald died in 1999 and his son, Peter has made the table available for sale.
Note: The National Trust website gives details about the owners of the Ickwork Estate. It would appear that around the time that Rhoda acquired the table many improvements were being made to the house and estate. Theodora, 4th Marchioness of Bristol (1875-1957), paid for settling debts and major improvements to Ickworth House. She was greatly concerned with the contents and had furniture and objects d’art restored.
Reference: www.nationaltrust.org.uk"
Condition:
Excellent original condition, ready for another 200 years.
No repairs or restoration required, I've just given the top a wax polish.
Heavy, sturdy, not even a hint of a wobble to the legs, no movement or warping to the flaps.
No historic repairs or restoration was carried out, probably due to lack of use.
Some very minor historic blemishes to the surface and a couple of small historic ink marks to the centre section - see photos.
A small slither/splinter missing to the edge of one of the flaps, which I haven't restored as I like the patination that has built up on the surface there - see photo.
Dimensions:
Height: 72cm
Length (flaps out): 156.5cm
Depth: 122cm
With leaves down the length reduces to 48.5cm
Delivery:
Options available for this item:
- Free delivery - if you're within 30 miles of MK18 4JG.
- You collect.
- Man and van delivery (to England & Wales).
Happy to arrange shipping to Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland & worldwide too, just message me with your details for a quote.
