Good Mid-Victorian Black Painted Pine Farmhouse Table C.1870

The particularly appealing mid-Victorian country house kitchen table, constructed principally in pine, with a generously proportioned rectangular four plank top above a simple, well-proportioned frame, raised upon four gently tapering square-section legs and removed recently from a Regency period Villa.

In wonderfully evocative, timeworn condition, with extensive historic wear to the painted surfaces, old scratches, marks, knocks and abrasions throughout. The top displays the expected signs of considerable use, including old shrinkage lines, minor splits and irregularities, while the drawer retains its characterful interior and iron furniture. A thoroughly honest and unpretentious appearance, with no attempt to disguise the passage of time. The feet have been re-tipped and there are two historic hinges to one side presumably for a serving leaf that is now absent.

Tables of this practical and restrained form were commonplace in the kitchens, servants’ quarters and working rooms of nineteenth century country houses, where durability and utility were of greater importance than elaborate ornament. The contrast between a scrubbed working surface and painted underframe is particularly characteristic of vernacular furniture, the accumulated wear often becoming its most attractive quality. This example was formerly amongst the residual contents of a Regency villa in Cheltenham, an entirely fitting provenance for such a piece.

A wonderfully versatile and decorative example of English country house furniture, its generous proportions, exceptional surface and pleasingly simple construction lending it considerable charm. Equally suited to use as a kitchen table, writing table or informal centre table, and possessing precisely the sort of untouched, lived-in character that is so difficult to replicate.