A Solid mahogany extending dining Table late18th early 19th Century

Dining room table with bands from the Directoire period in varnished Cuban mahogany. Large and beautiful almost round tabletop resting on a six-legged base with a double baluster, each punctuated by a shoe mounted on a gilt bronze castor. Two rounded side portions fold down vertically. The table can receive several extensions, supported by the four main legs of the table and by two additional mobile legs. The gradually adjustable extension is provided by oak wood key slides (original) stretching according to the number of extensions. Our table is equipped with its two old mahogany extensions with lateral strips with mortise and tenon joints, allowing a homogeneous visual, hiding the extension of the slides while rigidifying the whole table. Three service extensions (without bands) in stained wood increase its capacity for six additional guests. Like all 18th century furniture this table is entirely assembled with pegged mortise and tenon joints. On the photographs the table is presented without, with two and one extension with solid mahogany bands. The quality of the wood used, its specific assembly as well as the movement of the double baluster base designed by George Jacob at the end of the reign of Louis XVI allow a rather precise dating of the manufacture; the end of the 18th century or the very beginning of the 19th century, circa 1795-1800. Indeed, the two opening sides of the belt do not separate into two equal parts as on the Restoration or even later tables, but are made from the same piece. These are assembled at the top of each leg by mortise and tenon, which allows the two parts to be separated so that the table can be opened and the leaves placed on the runners. Moreover, the continental blockade established by the emperor between 1806 and 1808, to deprive Great Britain of trade relations with the continent, deprived the French cabinetmakers of mahogany from Cuba in favor of that of the French West Indies, less clear and much more veined.