Large George III Mahogany Oval Hunt Dining Table Seating Ten c. 1780

Hunt tables are so named because they were taken outside and loaded with refreshments when the hunt met and could be neatly folded and placed against a wall when not in use. They also have the name of a Wake table because when folded the bed of the table is large enough to support a coffin during the wake or funeral.

They are rare because their huge size - made for a Georgian house in the third quarter of the 18th century - became less practical for the smaller houses of the Victorians and Edwardians and many were reduced in size as a result. This full sized example has two huge drop leaves supported by double gate legs with lovely reel turnings which are matched by the reel turned stretchers. The table is peg jointed and extremely heavy and robust. The table bed and both leaves are made from single boards of mahogany - from a vast and very ancient tree which was felled in the early 18th century, cut into huge boards which were imported by sailing ship from the Americas to the UK, dried and then hand adzed, cut and polished. It is not possible to buy such timber today and a ban was put on the import of such wood in the mid-19th Century which still protects Honduran mahogany trees today.

With original hinges and substantial apron and retaining original oil and wax finish.

The table seats ten people with ease. It is pictured here with a set of very large 18th/19th century oak chairs far larger than a standard dining chair. It would look lovely with a set of windsor, spindle or ladderback chairs.

A superior example with a lovely even colour and in excellent condition throughout.

A wonderful table for your Christmas celebrations and priced very reasonably for a quick sale.