An exceptionally rare, Elizabethan, 6-legged oak, drawleaf table extending to 15ft. 6 in., from Ripley Grange, Theydon Bois, Essex
11004
This particular table is as fine an example of an Elizabethan drawleaf as one is likely to see. There is no question that the top and base are original. Although they were most likely made in the 19th century, the leaves have been made from old timber with exceptional figuring and retain their original 17/18th century patina.
This table has many features which are typical of drawleaf tables that were made in the third quarter of the 16th century. The bulbous or vase-shaped legs were of Flemish and German origin, introduced into England by immigrant craftsmen and through published designs such as those of Dietterlein and De Vries. In these early Elizabethan examples, the vase-shape is very pronounced, the bulbs generally being carved with acanthus and gadroons, and terminating at the junction with the frame in Ionic volutes as in this example.
Elizabethan drawleaf tables rarely come onto the open market. The Ripley Grange drawleaf has two exceptional features; it has 6 bulbous legs and extends to a massive 15ft., 6 in. There appears to be only one other comparison from this period with 6 bulbous legs which is in the Burrell Collection. Only the base survives and it has a modern top, replaced feet and has lost its leaves. The frame of the Burrell Collection drawleaf is the same size as the Ripley Grange drawleaf and, far as I am aware, this is the only other surviving, period example which could have extended to a similar size. The 4-legged drawleaf tables from this period all appear to have significantly smaller frames which indicates they could not have extended to this length.
The immovable character of these early examples caused them to descend through many generations in the same family, and Evelyn observes in a familiar passage that both in hall and parlour long tables " were as fixed as the freehold " '. Consequently drawleaf tables still survive today in situ some of the great collections, such as Hardwick Hall, while others have passed into the hands of museums such as the Treasurer's House, York
The Ripley Grange drawleaf retains its original top made from three, quarter-sawn, planks surrounded by a cleated oak frame. The leaves, are most likely 19th century replacements made from old timbers, each comprising two central planks surrounded by a cleated oak frame. The underside lopers and lifting mechanism date from this period. One of the lopers bears a paper label 'G-177 ELIZABETHAN DRAWER-TOP REFECTORY TABLE (SIX BULBOUS LEGS CARVED WITH LEAVES) JULY 1916' (see below). The frieze is crisply carved with flowerhead motifs with a gadrooned border below
The legs are the typical Elizabethan 'cup and cover' model. The lower section is finely carved with acanthus leaves, with a central band/ring separating this from the upper part which has fine gadrooning. The legs terminate with an ionic capital. The legs are mounted on blocks, unusually with carved detail on the top, joined by square stretchers with wear and losses. Excellent original, lustrous colour and patina. English, second half of the 16th century
Height 83 cm., 32¾ in. Depth 88 cm., 34½ in.
Fully Extended Length 472.5 cm., 15ft 6 in., Closed length 248 cm, 8ft 2 in.,
RELATED PIECES :
Dictionary of English Furniture, Tables, Dining and Hall, Figure 6, illustrates a drawleaf table, of which only the base survives, in the Burrell Collection with similar bulbous supports
The Dictionary of English Furniture (Edwards), Tables, Dining and Hall, illustrates four, 16th - 17th century, 4-legged drawleaf tables in Figures 7, 12, 8 & 9, the property of Colonel Colville, Mr Tilden & the V& A respectively.
A History of English Furniture, The Age of Oak (Macaquoid), figure 107 illustrates a smaller, 4-legged, drawleaf table dated 1695, the property of Sir Charles Lawes-Wittwronge, Bart. Figure 108 illustrates the 4-legged drawleaf in the V & A Collection.
Oak Furniture (Chinnery) illustrates two, 17th century, 4-legged, drawleaf tables in figures 3:160 & 3:161.
DRAWLEAF TABLES IN PUBLIC COLLECTIONS :
• The V& A Museum
• The Burrell Collection
• The Treasurer's House, York
• The Geffrye Museum
• Hardwick Hall
• Buckland Abbey, Devon City Museum & Art Gallery, Plymouth (English Furniture 1550-1760, Geoffrey Wills, Figure 1)
oak
English
Ripley Grange, Theydon Bois Essex. Reputedly acquired by Charles Clarke for the house. Mallett & Son, London. Ripley Grange, Theydon Bois, Essex was conceived and designed between 1928 and 1930 by its owner, Charles F. Clark, who made his fortune from carbon paper, as a faithful reproduction of an Elizabethan manor house with red brick walls, half timbering, plaster panels, mullioned windows and lead lattice casements. Both externally and internally almost every detail of the house was a faithful replica of a historic or architectural gem derived from such properties as Penshurst Place, Kent, Plas Mawr, Conway and the Tower of London, using the finest materials and superb craftsmanship. The house which was reputed to have cost the wealthy businessman over £100,000 combined 'Tudorbethan' authenticity with every modern labour saving device to create a luxurious and comfortable environment. To complement the richly decorated oak panelled rooms Clark acquired appropriate and sumptuous furniture from renowned dealers such as Mallet & Co in Bond Street. On 10 October 1954, Ripley Grange was advertised for sale by Hampton & Sons in the Sunday Times as a 'fabulous and unique Luxury Residence', and a year later the house was sold together with some of the furniture. (Ripley Grange, Theydon Bois, Essex: particulars of a unique and fabulous creation by the late Mr. C.F. Clark for his own occupation for sale by auction on 28th September 1955, University Library, Cambridge, Maps.PS.19.2011).
Illustrated in English Furniture 1550-1760 (Geoffrey Wills) Figure 4, Mallett & Son
Commemorative
![](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://www.lucy-johnson.com/tables/an-exceptionally-rare-elizabethan-6-legged-oak-drawleaf-table-extending-to-15ft-6-in-from-ripley-grange-theydon-bois-essex&media=https://seek-unique-co.s3.amazonaws.com/howgego-9682fVgdre9102-331/stock/63fbc37046f06_569_11004.jpg&description=This particular table is as fine an example of an Elizabethan drawleaf as one is likely to see. There is no question that the top and base are original. Although they were most likely made in the 19th century, the leaves have been made from old timber with exceptional figuring and retain their original 17/18th century patina. This table has many features which are typical of drawleaf tables that were made in the third quarter of the 16th century. The bulbous or vase-shaped legs were of Flemish and German origin, introduced into England by immigrant craftsmen and through published designs such as those of Dietterlein and De Vries. In these early Elizabethan examples, the vase-shape is very pronounced, the bulbs generally being carved with acanthus and gadroons, and terminating at the junction with the frame in Ionic volutes as in this example.Elizabethan drawleaf tables rarely come onto the open market. The Ripley Grange drawleaf has two exceptional features; it has 6 bulbous legs and extends to a massive 15ft., 6 in. There appears to be only one other comparison from this period with 6 bulbous legs which is in the Burrell Collection. Only the base survives and it has a modern top, replaced feet and has lost its leaves. The frame of the Burrell Collection drawleaf is the same size as the Ripley Grange drawleaf and, far as I am aware, this is the only other surviving, period example which could have extended to a similar size. The 4-legged drawleaf tables from this period all appear to have significantly smaller frames which indicates they could not have extended to this length.The immovable character of these early examples caused them to descend through many generations in the same family, and Evelyn observes in a familiar passage that both in hall and parlour long tables " were as fixed as the freehold " '. Consequently drawleaf tables still survive today in situ some of the great collections, such as Hardwick Hall, while others have passed into the hands of museums such as the Treasurer's House, YorkThe Ripley Grange drawleaf retains its original top made from three, quarter-sawn, planks surrounded by a cleated oak frame. The leaves, are most likely 19th century replacements made from old timbers, each comprising two central planks surrounded by a cleated oak frame. The underside lopers and lifting mechanism date from this period. One of the lopers bears a paper label 'G-177 ELIZABETHAN DRAWER-TOP REFECTORY TABLE (SIX BULBOUS LEGS CARVED WITH LEAVES) JULY 1916' (see below). The frieze is crisply carved with flowerhead motifs with a gadrooned border belowThe legs are the typical Elizabethan 'cup and cover' model. The lower section is finely carved with acanthus leaves, with a central band/ring separating this from the upper part which has fine gadrooning. The legs terminate with an ionic capital. The legs are mounted on blocks, unusually with carved detail on the top, joined by square stretchers with wear and losses. Excellent original, lustrous colour and patina. English, second half of the 16th centuryHeight 83 cm., 32¾ in. Depth 88 cm., 34½ in.Fully Extended Length 472.5 cm., 15ft 6 in., Closed length 248 cm, 8ft 2 in.,RELATED PIECES :Dictionary of English Furniture, Tables, Dining and Hall, Figure 6, illustrates a drawleaf table, of which only the base survives, in the Burrell Collection with similar bulbous supports The Dictionary of English Furniture (Edwards), Tables, Dining and Hall, illustrates four, 16th - 17th century, 4-legged drawleaf tables in Figures 7, 12, 8 & 9, the property of Colonel Colville, Mr Tilden & the V& A respectively.A History of English Furniture, The Age of Oak (Macaquoid), figure 107 illustrates a smaller, 4-legged, drawleaf table dated 1695, the property of Sir Charles Lawes-Wittwronge, Bart. Figure 108 illustrates the 4-legged drawleaf in the V & A Collection.Oak Furniture (Chinnery) illustrates two, 17th century, 4-legged, drawleaf tables in figures 3:160 & 3:161.DRAWLEAF TABLES IN PUBLIC COLLECTIONS :•	The V& A Museum •	The Burrell Collection•	The Treasurer's House, York•	The Geffrye Museum•	Hardwick Hall•	Buckland Abbey, Devon City Museum & Art Gallery, Plymouth (English Furniture 1550-1760, Geoffrey Wills, Figure 1)){kind=link}