Table of walnut, with rectangular top on twin carved supports joined by a central stretcher with three turned baluster supports. Spanish, c1600-50, RF76/2003

Table of walnut, with rectangular top on twin carved supports joined by a central stretcher with three turned baluster supports

Of joined construction. The two end supports each consist of a single-piece, carved, double-scroll foot and a single-piece upper rail which is moulded on three sides (not on the inner face). The two elements are joined by a central turned and carved fluted column with chubby mask above, which is flanked by two low-relief carved and pierced sections of scrolling strapwork, plain on their inner faces. The top is formed from a single wide walnut board (the underside showing regular saw marks) covered in canvas nailed (with round-headed tacks) along the edges and with a dark stain or pigmented wax. The top is located to the two end supports with a loose tongue held with two pegs in the rail. The two end supports are joined by top and bottom longitudinal moulded stretchers which are linked by 3 vertical turned balusters (tenoned into the stretchers). Two split-turned balusters of the same pattern are applied to the back of the end supports.

Modifications
The top with canvas covering and metal fixings probably replaced.

Given by Mark Oliver

Given by Mark Oliver
Rf 80/1083

Comparable tables

María Paz Aguiló Alonso: El Mueble en España, Siglos XVI - XVII. (Madrid 1993), illustrates two similar tables, both with extending tops, one (p. 337, private collection, Madrid) described as Aragon 1575-1600, the other (p. 338) described as 'Fanlo (Huesca) Iglesia parroquial', 16th-17th century.

Similar, French example: Bonhams, London, 6/7/11, lot.16. Christie's South Kensington, 03/12/2013, lot 225.

Flemish(?) late 16th century(?), Cinquantenaire Museum, Brussels, Inv. V. 80.

During the 16th century in northern Italy and France, new designs for tables were developed, smaller and more conspicuously decorated than the standard form of plain, trestle tables generally used for most domestic purposes. One type,- generally in walnut, of which this is an example, has prominent and richly-carved end supports linked by a series of turned balusters, and was clearly meant to be admired 'in the round' as well as serving a practical function. Some of these have tops with extending leaves to allow them to double in length.

This version of the design relates to similar tables in Spanish collections, with end supports carved with leafy scrolls. The top is probably a replacement.

On long loan to Turton Tower, Bolton.

W.55-1980