Drawing table, English, carved oak

Joined draw-leaf oak centre table with chamfered square legs, ogee-shaped carved rails, and low square-section stretchers.

The top consists of a rectangular, central top-piece of bread-board construction with mitred end-pieces, which sits above (or between, when open) two square draw-sections of similar construction, which rest on two lopers,the central loper at each end missing.

Bought for £30 (with 263-1908, bench) from T. Charbonnier, Lynmouth Art Gallery, Lynmouth, Devon, 'Oak draw-table and bench from Broadway near Ilminster, Somerset', 'A rare and valuable example of Tudor furniture of the first half of the 16th century. Registered File 2389/08 Photograph attached (1); a somewhat similar table and bench, though later in date, illustrated in Macquoid. English furniture, Vol.I. fig. 178 [actually a very different design of table]. One foot rail is missing.'
RF M2661/1908

On loan to the National Portrait Gallery, London, June-October 1975
On loan to Mary Newman’s Cottage, Saltash since 1984

This table, and an ensuite boarded bench were acquired as early 16th century, said to have come from Broadway near Ilminster (Somerset). The table (and possibly the bench which awaits review (2011) appears to be of late 19th or early 20th century manufacture as it lacks evidence of natural wear, and the timbers, especially the top are implausibly straight-edged. The use of some apparently old oak (for the top), and the creation of wear, for example on the stretchers, suggest a deliberate attempt to deceive.

On loan to Mary Newman's Cottage, in Saltash, near Plymouth.

262-1908