Object Description
An extremely rare Regency Period Wilkinson Patent concertina action extending dining table in flame mahogany, Circa 1820 in date.
It has three original extension leaves and eight twist reeded legs all fitted with brass castors. This type of extending dining table was patented by the renowned London cabinet making firm of Wilkinson.
It has a unique scissor action with brass fittings allowing the table to open with a concertina action. The leaves are held in place with brass clips and the table can be used with any combination of leaves in place, making this a very versatile table. these antique tables are very well constructed and are solid and firm when fully extended.
An outstanding table of unique design to literally fold away but opens to seat up to twelve people comfortably.
This table was made by a master craftsman and should last for generations more.
Condition:
In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned, polished and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 72 x Width 302 x Depth 108 – Fully Extended
Height 72 x Width 153 x Depth 108 – With all 3 leaves removed
Dimensions in inches:
Height 2 foot, 4 inches x Width 9 foot, 11 inches x Depth 3 foot, 6 inches – Fully Extended
Height 2 foot, 4 inches x Width 5 foot x Depth 3 foot, 6 inches – With all 3 leaves removed
Thomas and William Wilkinson
were cousins who ran a cabinet making firm at No.’s 9 & 10, Broker’s Row in Moorfields, London during the period 1790-1808. They were most renowned for the specialist production of patent tables, and extending dining tables in particular, which in their own words could occupy ‘a space considerable smaller than is necessary for the standing of any other dining table now in use’.
The Wilkinson partnership ceased in 1808 when William left the firm in order to set up his own company at 14 Ludgate Hill while Thomas continued to operate in the same capacity, albeit on his own, until 1828.
Flame Mahogany
Thomas Sheraton – 18th century furniture designer, once characterized mahogany as “best suited to furniture where strength is demanded as well as a wood that works up easily, has a beautiful figure and polishes so well that it is an ornament to any room in which it may be placed.” Matching his words to his work, Sheraton designed much mahogany furniture. The qualities that impressed Sheraton are particularly evident in a distinctive pattern of wood called “flame mahogany.”
The flame figure in the wood is revealed by slicing through the face of the branch at the point where it joins another element of the tree.
Regency Furniture
During the Regency period it was fashionable to copy the classical furniture of the Roman and Greek times. Furniture had stopped evolving in design and had moved back to classical forms. The pioneer designers who represented this period were:
Thomas Hope (1770-1831), George Smith (1804-28), Henry Holland (1745 – 1806)
George IV had a major influence over the furniture makers of the time.
This period saw the introduction of brass to wood from the previous marquetry that had been originally used. The sofa table was also introduced.
The main features of the Regency period furniture were their simplicity, with straight, unbroken surfaces and lines.
Our reference: A2835