Large Early 19th Century Farmhouse Kitchen Extending Dining Table, 1820s

An Extremely Rare And Very Attractive, Good Quality, Early 19th Century French Cherry Wood & Chestnut Extending Farmhouse Kitchen Dining Table, The Well Figured Rectangular Top with Double Drawleaf Ends To Comfortably Seat 16 People, Raised Above Shaped Frieze with Elegant Cabriole Legs Terminating On Hoove Type Feet.

Its difficult to know where to start with explaining this table, how fabulous it is and also just how versatile it is in terms of allowing the option of such a large dining table from such a sensibly and practically sized base. It is extremely rare to find any type of french farmhouse kitchen table of this size, particularly one that is in such nice condition and also early 19th century as opposed to late 19th or even early 20th century like so many others.

In short, when in non extended form the table is a relatively typical attractive early french farmhouse table, which is very elegant and retains a good rich colour. However it conceals two large pull out draw leaves, one to each end, which when fully extended, with the additional hinged legs in place allows this table to seat a comfortable 16 people on a perfectly level table top surface.

There is also an option to use the table for a smaller number of people than 16 by pulling out each end any distance up to about halfway whilst keeping the legs folded in and that will allow a smaller number of people than 16 to sit at the table whilst still offering more spaces than the table in its standard position with the ends fully pushed in. The only thing to be aware of here is that the ends will sit around an inch or so lower than the middle of the table due to the fact the middle top only drops down to the same level as the ends when they are fully extended. Still however this versatility is an extremely useful option to have.

Overall the condition of the table is very good and mostly original with the feet as later replacements, which is extremely common on this type of table due to the fact they spent most of their lives historically standing on damp stone floors and the bottom of the legs would eventually rot away. Not a problem we need to worry about in the modern heated home of course! Also worth mentioning is that when fully extended there is a minor misalignment of the end leaves to the central top due to the natural movement of the wood over the years, again this is something very minor and to be expected with age which certainly doesn’t affect the table visually, or functionally, in any way whatsoever.

We think this is one of the nicest french farmhouse tables we have ever owned and certainly one of the most practical. The possibilities contained within its size are endless and it is certainly a piece of furniture which can be utilised and enjoyed on a daily basis whilst also being exceptionally well suited to entertaining a large number of guests when required.

Inspected and attended to in our workshops and eceived a natural beeswax polish.

Circa 1820.

Fully Extended Dimensions.
Height 30in.
Length 159in.
Depth 32.5in.

Fully Closed Dimensions.
Height 30.5in.
Length 79in.
Depth 32.5in.

Clearance Height 24in.