Object Description
A stunning oval antique William IV Gonçalo Alves breakfast table / loo table, circa 1835 in date with six Regency Revival dining chairs.
The lovely figured Gonçalo Alves oval top sits on a decorative and detailed four form base, and can seat six people in comfort. It has a tilt top which means that the top can be stood on end when required.
There is no mistaking that this is the work of a master craftsman which is certain to become a treasured addition to your antique furniture collection, not to mention the proud centrepiece of your reception room.
The absolutely fantastic English-made Vintage set of six Regency Revival dining chairs compliment the table perfectly, all of which feature an attractive bar back design with hand carved decoration and ‘drop in’ seats that are upholstered in the finest olive green suede effect fabric.
Condition:
In excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 69 x Width 152 x Depth 120 – Table
Height 86 x Width 48 x Depth 43 – Chairs
Dimensions in inches:
Height 2 foot, 3 inches x Width 5 feet x Depth 3 foot, 11 inches – Table
Height 2 foot, 10 inches x Width 1 foot, 7 inches x Depth 1 foot, 5 inches – Chairs
A Loo table
was a table adapted for a circle of persons playing the popular Victorian card game Loo. However, it is extremely versatile and can be placed in a dining room, bedroom, living room, office or reception.
Gonçalo Alves
is a hardwood (from the Portuguese name, Gonçalo Alves). It is sometimes referred to as tigerwood — a name that underscore the wood’s often dramatic, contrasting color scheme.
While the sapwood is very light in color, the heartwood is a sombre brown, with dark streaks that give it a unique look. The wood’s color deepens with exposure and age and even the plainer-looking wood has a natural luster.
Two species are usually listed as sources for gonçalo alves: Astronium fraxinifolium and Astronium graveolens, although other species in the genus may yield similar wood; the amount of striping that is present may vary.
In the high tropical forests of Central and South America, well-drained soils furnish nutrients for a variety of dense, durable hardwoods sought for maritime use, heavyconstruction, and furniture. The Spanish began harvesting in Latin American forests in the early 1500s to provide timber for boatbuilding and repair. By the early 1900s, however, steel ships had replaced wooden ones, and the interest in tropical forests by both Europeans and Americans shifted to appearance-grade woods for furniture.
Although history fails to provide us with a shopping list of species from either harvest period, it’s probable that the wood we know today as goncalo alves has always been sought. That’s because goncalo alves, considered one of the most beautiful of tropical woods, has a tough reputation, too. Strong and durable, it’s used for construction in its homeland and secondarily for fine furniture. Woodworkers elsewhere treasure the wood for decorative items and veneer accents.
Our reference: A3302a