Extremely rare oak extending circular antique dining table in the manner of those patented by Jupe, this one probably made by Gillow of Lancester and London with original concentric extending mechanism, original ebonised leaves and original leaf carrier, this table extends to 13 feet diameter with a circumference of around 40 feet and can seat up to 18-20 people. It is 6'6" in diameter with the leaves removed to seat 10 people. Unusually for a circular antique dining table, this table has four different sizes, 6"6 wide, 116" wide, 138" wide and 13' maximum.
The table was originally made for Littlecote House in Berkshire:
History of Littlecote House
The original manor house with the deer park dates from around 1290 and was later rebuilt and extended around 1520. It was at Littlecote that Henry VIII courted Jane Seymour and they married at Wulf Hall nearby in 1536.
Queen Elizabeth I was received at Littlecote in 1601 by which time further additions had been made, including The Long Gallery, and the early medieval hall had been converted into a Chapel. During the Civil War Littlecote became a Cromwellian stronghold, but when Charles II was returned to the throne in 1660 the family received a Royal Pardon and entertained the King to ‘a costly dinner’ during his progress to Bath. On the way to London to claim the throne in 1688, William of Orange stayed for two nights after meeting with the Commissioners of King James II.
With the arrival of the 18th century Littlecote enjoyed more peaceful times, and restoration work around 1810 led to the building of The Orangery and The Chinese Room whilst the landscaped gardens were extensively restored.
Remains have been found showing there was a Bronze Age settlement at Littlecote. Recently, the foundations of a Roman Villa with a well preserved highly decorative mosaic floor was discovered in the grounds, showing that the site was inhabited before the original manor house was built in medieval times.
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