Object Description
This is a beautiful antique William IV mahogany extending dining table, circa 1835 in date and set of fourteen Wheatsheaf shieldback dining chairs.
This amazing table can seat fourteen people in comfort and has been hand-crafted from beautiful solid flame mahogany.
The beautifully richly figured solid mahogany top with moulded edge is rectangular with rounded corners and has five leaves which can be added or removed as required to suit the occasion by a special winding mechanism. The leaves can be easily removed and stored away when not required.
The table is raised on four decorative hand carved turned baluster shaped tapering legs that terminate in their original brass and white porcelain cup castors.
The fantastic set of fourteen Vintage wheatsheaf shieldback dining chairs, date from the mid 20th Century and compliment the table perfectly.. Masterfully crafted in beautiful solid mahogany throughout, the finish and attention to detail on display are truly breathtaking.
The set comprises twelve side chairs and two armchairs, all featurimg attractive carved wheatsheaf decoration with ‘drop in’ seats that have been reupholstered in the finest teal damask.
This stunning dining set will stand out in your dining or conference room and will definitely become a key piece in your furnishing collection.
Condition:
In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned, polished and waxed and the chairs reupholstered in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 76 cm x Width 388 cm x Depth 137 cm – Fully extended
Height 76 cm x Width 147.5 cm x Depth 137 cm – Leaves Removed
Height 100 cm x Width 61 cm x Depth 58 cm – Armchairs
Height 98 cm x Width 56 cm x Depth 58 cm – Side chairs
Height 50 cm – Seat height
Dimensions in inches:
Height 2 foot, 6 inches x Width 12 foot, 9 inches x Depth 4 foot, 6 inches – Fully extended
Height 2 foot, 6 inches x Width 4 foot, 10 inches x Depth 4 foot, 6 inches – Leaves Removed
Height 3 foot, 3 inches x Width 2 foot x Depth 1 foot, 11 inches – Armchairs
Height 3 foot, 3 inches x Width 1 foot, 10 inches x Depth 1 foot, 11 inches – Side chairs
Height 1 foot, 8 inches – Seat height
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.
Winding Mechanism for extending tables
Winding mechanisms have been used since the early 19th Century.
A man by the name of Samuel Hawkins applied for a patent on a screw expander on June 6th, 1861. Presumably, Mr. Hawkins either died or retired because his business was taken over by a young machinist named Joseph Fitter in 1864.
Joseph Fitter operated a machinist shop where he produced winding mechanisms for extending tables as well as screw expanders for piano stools and other applications at 210 Cheapside, Birmingham England by the name of Britannia Works.
Our reference: A3939a