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Sales > Tables > Dining Tables > Pedestal Dining Tables
Pedestal Dining Tables
Here is a little background information about 18th and 19th century mahogany pillar or pedestal antique dining tables. Do contact us with any questions!
Please click on images to enlarge:
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Pedestal dining tables are tables that have a column or pedestal support base rather than having legs at the corners. This format of table is widely regarded as more elegant than the normal legged dining table as the pillars or pedestals can give the design an elegance that makes the table appear much lighter than it actually is. The first pillar tables emerged during the 18th century and at this time lightness of form and elegance of design were considered extremely important, thus English tables from this period generally have thin tops with no frieze, wonderful columns and legs that are generous in form and often are quite long, the best legs sweeping down to run parallel to the floor before reaching the caster. The need for elegance necessitated thin tops made of single sheets of mahogany, lots of timber wasted in the manufacture of the columns and legs and exceptional build quality to support the weight of the tops. All these factors meant that pillar tables were generally the expensive option, the majority of households opting for the more standard table with legs at the corners. In the eighteenth century these would have been D-ends with lots of legs that moved with gate-leg action, but by the end of the Regency period they had evolved via concertina and other patented mechanisms into the more versatile and strong format of extending dining table with which we are now more familiar (click here).
Supply and demand has meant that of the three varieties of table (pillar, extending and D-end) it is D-ends that have become the most affordable in the 21st century. This is in part because they have many legs that can interfere with guests knees, but also of course because there were many more of this variety made than those with pedestals or columns. Extending tables have proven to be a good investment and good quality or large tables continue to go up in value.
However, it is the rarer pillar tables which are the most sought after and continue to represent the best investment. The design of a three pillar or four pillar dining table, especially those that are pre-Victorian, are sought after because they are elegant and also for practical reasons. The absence of an extending mechanism means no frieze under the edge of the top which means knee room can be as much as 26 to 28 inches below the top to the floor, whereas an extending table might only afford 24". With a pillar table the legs are under the centre of the table and rarely encroach on the leg room of the dinner guest. One of the most important reasons that 18th century pillar tables continue to be so sought after in the 21st century must surely be that they fit well with almost any interior.
Consider the Regency mahogany four pillar dining table shown here - it is made of wonderful timber that is unobtainable today; it is wonderfully elegant; its legs are tucked out of the way; it has lots of leg room; but most of all its design is so restrained that it will match almost any interior design scheme.
If a Regency three or four pillar dining table is still too much for your minimal interior scheme then look at the George III 4 pillar or the George III period mahogany 3 pedestal table pictured below which have no carving or other unnecessary embellishment at all. These tables look wonderful in an eighteenth century interior, but look astounding in a modern interior where they stand out as an object of beauty in their own right.
The table pictured her is a fine and rare Regency mahogany 4 pedestal dining table, circa 1820. Particularly fine figuring to the top and wonderfully well drawn bases. This table is one of the finest examples we have had the privilege to have in our possession and is extraordinarily rare indeed.
Max length: 255 inches or 21 feet or 647cm
Width: 56 inches or 4'6" or 142cm
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Antique dining table, a very fine and Rare 18th Century Antique Mahogany 4-Pedestal Dining Table in excellent all-original condition, with unusually shaped four-splay supports. Will seat up to 18 people, with an elegance and lightness that only a pillar dining table can achieve.
English, circa 1780.
Length: 17 ft. 6 inches
Width: 58 inches
Width of interleaves: 25 1/4 inches
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An antique dining table, George III Cuban mahogany three pillar dining table, each pedestal with four splay legs terminating in brass castor feet. English, circa 1810.
Length: 11 feet 2 inches (134 inches)
Width: 4 feet 2 inches (50 inches)
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An antique dining table, George III mahogany twin pedestal dining table, each pedestal with three splays, terminating in a square brass cap and castor. English, circa 1810.
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A very fine quality antique dining table, George III, period made of mahogany and with a sash mechanism this is a rare table as it is a pillar as well as an extending dining table. The mechanism causes the table to always remain symmetrical. The turned legs are removed when the table is closed, so making the table an elegant pedestal support centre/ breakfast table. English circa 1810
Dimensions:
Closed: 51.5 inches x 54.5 inches
With one leaf inserted:
76.75 X 54.5 inches
Maximum size: (with both leaves inserted)
102 inches x 54.5 inches
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A most unusual and interesting George III mahogany three pedestal antique dining table which, when the middle pedestal is used on its own, has two small leaves to round off the edges, making it a stand-alone breakfast table, while the two d-ends can be put against a wall, or clipped together to make a twin pedestal dining table. English, circa 1800.
Dimensions:
Maximum length, with all interleaves installed: 121 inches
Overall width: 54.5 inches
Length with both interleaves removed: 79.5 inches
Dimensions of middle pedestal with two "mini-leaves": 40inches x 54.5 inches
When two end pedestals only are used: 53.5 x 54.5 inches
Height: 28.5 inches
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Mahogany twin pillar antique dining table on three splay base of good colour and scale with one removable leaf. This table could take another leaf to seat 8-10 people. English circa 1780.
93" long (one leaf)
70" long (no leaf)
48" wide
28.5 " high
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Very rare and impressive Irish Regency mahogany three pillar antique dining table with four splay bases, reeded edge, gadrooned pillars and of very generous scale, the top with two removable leaves, maximum length 18' 8.5" by to seat 20-22 people.
Max length (with all leaves in): 18' 8.5"/225.5 inches/5.71 metres
Length with two interleaves removed: 12'8"/154.5 inches/3.92 metres
Width: 57.75 inches/1.46 metres
Height: 29 inches
Would go very well with the set of 22 mahogany dining chairs http://www.hares-antiques.com/sales/chairs/dining/sets_of_12_and_above.aspx
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Very fine and rare George III mahogany antique dining table of huge scale and well figured mahogany, the four pedestals each supported by four splay legs (much better than three, we all agree), English circa 1790, this table is almost 18 feet long! Tables of this quality are very difficult to find - a seriously impressive table and a fantastic investment.
Each end is 35" and the centre tables are 35" and 34.5". Total length without leaves is 139.5 which is 11' 7.5"
The leaves are 23", 23", and 22.75" so the total max size is 208.25" which is about 17'4"
This table is now SOLD. Please email or call us for information about similar ones in stock
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Unusual and versatile William IV mahogany extending breakfast table. This antique dining table is circular when the leaves are removed and either or both of the leaves can be inserted to seat more, while the base remains fixed. The top is 46.5" by 47" wide the mechanism extends to 79.5" English circa 1835 £8,800
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Although not an antique dining table, this handmade and unique three pillar mahogany dining table is of wonderful quality and is a fantastic scale, this table is made of huge pieces of mahogany and is a precise replica of an extremely important dining table sold by us and it is made in the manner of a Regency dining table using traditional craftsmen, materials and techniques. English early 21st century, 16' long x 5' wide, this table is a 10th of the cost of its Regency counterpart!
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Lovely quality and unusual George III period mahogany Sunderland antique dining table with rare early concertina "scissors action" mechanism which folds down to a Pembroke table, bearing the name "Baldwin" on the hinges, this table has the original leaves, the whole top made of wonderful fine figured dense grained mahogany with ebony stringing to the base and frieze. All in all a charming and very versatile dining table. English circa 1800 £5,500
Measurements
Length 71.5" max, 57.5" one leaf, 43.5" without leaves, 23" long folded
Width 48" Height 28.5"
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Very fine quality mahogany three pillar antique dining table with original leaves and with wonderful untouched colour and patination standing on three four splay bases and with interesting dove tail brass clips. Irish circa 1820
54.25" wide
162.5" long
13'6" long
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Extremely rare oak extending 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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Antique dining table, of three pillar format with four splay to each pillar and with two removable leaves, English circa 1810
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George III twin pedestal mahogany antique dining table, with two spare leaves, circa 1780.
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This exceptional quality antique dining table is from the late Regency period, is made of rosewood and was made either as a breakfast table or a centre table, English circa 1825.
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This antique dining table is a very fine William IV rosewood breakfast table, seats 6-8 people. Diameter: 4ft. 6 inches (54 inches)
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Twin pedestal Regency mahogany antique dining table, with good, bold turned pillars, each with three splay bases, terminating in clawed, accentuated hairy paw feet, Grrrrr!. Probably by Williams and Gibton, of Dublin, Ireland. Irish, circa 1815.
Width: 58 inches
Length with interleave: 130 inches
Length without interleave: 94 inches
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