The word ‘refectory’ historically translates to a room for dining. Hence the ‘refectory table’ is quite simply the earliest for of dining table and its originals will date back to quite simple the earliest date of civilisations.

In terms of todays’ antique market place to buy an antique refectory table the earliest potential would be from the 16^th and 17^th Centuries although it would be very rare to find an example of any great size surviving complete. There are some very large refectory tables in National Trust estate homes and a few large religious establishments but, given so few wealthy people who could justify a large dining hall during this period, in the open market there would be very few tables available that are genuine 16^th/17^th Century at a size over 8ft length.

By the middle of the 18^th Century into George iii period there was no requirement to build large refectory tables for ding rooms because any wealthy household would now be commissioning fashionable formal mahogany dining tables. So the only large refectory type tables would be for the staff kitchen areas and educational or religious institutions. Of course there are always anomalies within history, so doubtless throughout all Centuries refectory tables have been made to some extent,  but it wasn’t until the late 19^th Century when the Colonies were lost, where mahogany was imported from, that English cabinet makers once again constructed large oak refectory tables for the dining room.

This revival of the refectory table seemed to be due to associated revival in taste for the early period Gothic Tudor, Jacobean and Charles II tastes by the late Victorians. So once again classic plank top and cleated end refectory tables were made with classic baluster legs, peg jointed and united by stretchers. There are also X frame Arts %& Crafts, trestle based and draw leaf refectory tables from this period onwards. The draw leaf refectory tables tend not to be too large, maybe up to 10ft, but we have had solid top antique refectories up to 18ft long from the Victorian period.

The refectory table fits well within more modern décor if a lighter or bleached shade as much as within a period home setting so very popular table design of today. Therefore many companies on the internet selling ‘antique refectory tables’ who in actual fact are importing modern made reproductions from east of Europe and, although listed as antiques on Ebay, etc.. easy enough to spot as they will have the word ‘style’ somewhere in the description. Also there are companies importing from the Asia mass produced crudely made tables which they claim are made from ‘sustainable’ timbers reclaimed from Monasteries, etc.. but in truth these tables are manufactured from freshly felled forestation and are Third World exploitation.

At Elisabeth James we typically have 30+ antique refectory tables from all periods and designs in stock at 2 metre to 5 metre lengths, with all held here in untouched condition to allow you to select very old school patinated wax finish, any shade you require, bleach earthy matt sealed, etc..