Gateleg table, English, 1690-1700, yew, sycamore inlay, 73/1285

Oval gateleg yew table with a single drawer, with twist-turned legs and stretchers, the top veneered with sycamore and other woods. The oval top has two flaps which are each supported by a single gateleg. The top is veneered and inlaid with geometric black and white stringing lines, each flap with an oval compartment containing an intersecting quatrefoil deisgn; similar designs are in the corners. The centre board is inlaid with a round-ended compartment, and in the four corners with lobed stringing designs. All four legs (with flat pad feet), together with the two gate-legs and stretchers are twist-turned with square blocks at the intersection. Each flap is held on a 'dovetail' type iron hinge held with nails (and added nut and bolt). The flaps meet the central panel along a full length tongue and groove joint

The frame of oak (where hidden) and yew (or possibly fruitwood) where visible. The three sections forming the table top consist of softwood boards (2.4cm thick) veneered on the top and edges. The drawer is oak (nailed construction) with a front of solid yew; with a lock (key missing). The visible rail under the drawer is solid yew.

Modifications
One leaf has a pronounced bow. The upper rail of each gate has been replaced (in oak). A softwood block has been added under each flap as a stop for the gate. The top appears to have been reattached to the frame at an early date using long oak pegs, the tops concealed by patches in the veneered top. The drawer bottom (upper surface) shows numerous exposed worm channels, presumably where a lining paper has been removed.

Bequeathed by Miss Amy E. Tomes

The table has been on loan to Kensington Palace since 1973.

Dept file notes: 'slightly warped and rubbed' & 'A somewhat similar yew-topped gate-leg table is at Holme-in-eli, Lancashire (Nov 1940).

Received from Miss Amy E. Tomes, Flat 13, Welbeck House, Wigmore Street, W1.

RP 73/1285

An English, William and Mary oval gateleg yew table made, turned and inlaid with sycamore and a dark wood. The oval top has two flaps which are supported by gatelegs. The top is veneered and inlaid with geometric stringing lines. The two flaps have oval compartments containing an intersecting quatrefoil deisgn; similar designs are in the corners. The centre board is inlaid with a round-ended compartment, and in the four corners with lobed stringing designs. All four legs, together with the two gate-legs and stretchers are twist-turned with square blocks at the intersection.

On loan to Kensington Palace.

W.49-1940