HUGE STOCK CHANGING DAILY
LARGE WAREHOUSE COMPLEX
Monday - Saturday
9am-5pm,
BY APPOINTMENT
OPEN TO TRADE AND PUBLIC
LARGE WAREHOUSE COMPLEX
Monday - Saturday
9am-5pm,
BY APPOINTMENT
OPEN TO TRADE AND PUBLIC
The Grain Store
Winslow Road
Granborough,
Bucks MK18 3NQ
BY APPOINTMENT
01296 532808
07887 834888
Email
Winslow Road
Granborough,
Bucks MK18 3NQ
BY APPOINTMENT
01296 532808
07887 834888
READ CUSTOMER REVIEWS & FEEDBACK 
UK's LARGEST STOCK OF QUALITY ORIGINAL ANTIQUE DINING TABLES & SETS OF ANTIQUE DINING CHAIRS ALSO SPECIALISING IN DESKS, BOOKCASES, CHESTS & MORE...
Antique Search ServiceOUR REVIEWS ARE 
Nick Hewer (The Apprentice)
Hello Chris, Just wanted to say thank you. The chairs and table are absolutely beautiful - can’t stop looking at them and touching them! Sorry I couldn’t see you in person - I have a deadline for my masters coming up and I needed to do a day in the library! Also wanted to say I’ve shared your details on a closed FB group with 1.7k doctor mums who are interested in interior design and many are doing renovations. A few have already said they will make the trip based on the before & after pics, and I also connected with another client of yours who bought a large table and chairs!
Anyway- hope to do business again as we are really delighted. Thank you!
Best wishes, Anna
Wow! We absolutely love the table and chairs. Thank you so much. You and your team have done a fantastic job.
Thank you for delivering them today. The guys that delivered were lovely and did a brilliant job of installing it all too.
Janice
Read more Google Reviews
HUGE STOCK OF QUALITY ORIGINAL ENGLISH ANTIQUE FURNITURE
Elisabeth James are one of the last true antique furniture trade specialists offering a vast stock of genuine untouched period antique furniture covering Georgian, Regency and Victorian periods. Operating from our trade antique furniture complex just 1 hour north of London you will find the largest stock of genuine antique dining room furniture in the World and sufficient furniture to fill every room of 100 large period homes, whether drawing room, study, bedrooms, etc..
Uniquely all of our antique furniture is maintained in its untouched original condition and INCLUDED IN OUR PRICES is bespoke hand finishing to your specification to allow your perfect antique dining table to be matched to a set of chairs, sideboard, select your own fabric for upholstery, etc.. Our team of 11 in-house professional restorers work to the very highest standards and the personal service and expertise you will be offered is unmatched anywhere in the UK.
7 Metre Antique Dining Table Late Victorian Oak Arts Crafts
Not the largest antique oak extending dining table we've seen but this is a monster and amazingly closes down from seating size for 26/28 people to a tidy round form to seat 6. With the multiple combinations of extension leaves...
Price: £16500
Status:
In stockPrice: £16500
Circa: c1890
Stock Code: E2540
6ft Round Antique Dining Table Burr Walnut Regency Manner
Very impressive centre piece burr walnut dining table following the Regency with its segmented and banded top inset with ebony line and finished below with shallow apron. Standing triform panelled facet column to platform base supported but scroll carved feet....
Price: £3700
Status:
In stockPrice: £3700
Circa: Mid 1900s
Stock Code: E2538
6ft Antique Library Table Queen Anne Walnut Leather Top
Very unusual Queen Anne design and large scale to the super centre price library or possibly stylish dining table) with its leather inset top, banded and quadrant moulded. Cross grain finishing apron and standing on fine cabriole formed legs...
Price: £2650
Status:
In stockPrice: £2650
Circa: C1920
Stock Code: E2536
6 Metre Genuine Regency Period Mahogany Pedestal Dining Table
The largest genuine Regency period pedestal dining table we have ever stocked at just under 6 metres long and will seat up to 24 people. This rare early period Regency pedestal table has stunning highly figured hand cut timbers...
Price: £25500
Status:
In stockPrice: £25500
Circa: C1820
Stock Code: E2535
Large Antique Oak Extending Dining Table 6 Metres Seat 24 People
Hugely impressive late Victorian demi round end oak extending dining table with moulded top opening to incorporate any combination of extension leaves. Finshng apron below and standing on six turned and flited legs terminating in casters. Stripped t its natural...
Price: £12000
Status:
In stockPrice: £12000
Circa: C1880
Stock Code: E2534
3 Metre Antique Oak Extending Dining Table Seat 14 Chairs
Of clean lines with rounded corners to drop moulded top which opens via runners and steel winder to incorporate any combination of the three original leaves to vary length. Standing on turned tapering legs terminating in porcelain casters. Good solid...
Price: £3000
Status:
In stockPrice: £3000
Circa: C1890
Stock Code: E2532
2 Metre Diameter Antique Regency Round Dining Table
Stunning Regency design mahogany centre piece dining table with exotic flame segmented top banded with yew wood and finished below with beaded cross grain apron. Standing on super column to platform base supported by panel inlaid sabre legs terminating in...
Price: £4800
Status:
In stockPrice: £4800
Circa: mid 1900s
Stock Code: E2531
Large Round Antique Dining Table Regency Mahogany Seat 10 Chairs
Large diameter at 183cm (6ft) this Regency revival design mahogany table will set 10 adults comfortable but can accommodate up to 12 of a couple of children on small chairs. Trimmed to the outer with cross banding of satinwood and...
Price: £3450
Status:
In stockPrice: £3450
Circa: Mid 1900s
Stock Code: E2530
Antique Dining Table 5 metre Arts Crafts Oak Extending For 20 Chairs
You might consider that huge Stately Home sized genuine antique dining tables are common place given the large selection we hold in stock but the truth is very few were ever made and have survived intact today. Its our speciality...
Price: £8800
Status:
In stockPrice: £8800
Circa: c1880
Stock Code: e2525
Large Antique Oval Table Victorian Walnut Breakfast Table
In the early 19th Century the tables used in the drawing room were called breakfast tables and mostly made in the round to seat 6 people. Into the Victorian period the shape changed predominately to oval and exotic walnuts...
Price: £1900
Status:
In stockPrice: £1900
Circa: C1860
Stock Code: E2526
Large Antique Mahogany Extending Dining Table Victorian D End
Classic characteristics to this top quality mid Victorian D end extending dining table which remarkably has survived 150 years now without any restoration or re finishing. The gee and drop moulded top opens via runners and winding mechanism to incorporate...
Price: £4900
Status:
In stockPrice: £4900
Circa: C1870
Stock Code: E2527
Over 500 3 4 5 Metre Genuine Antique Dining Tables and Chairs Sets At Our Trade Warehouse
We hold in stock more genuine antique dining tables at our trade antique furniture warehouse than the entire combined UK stock offered on amateur advertising platforms such as Ebay, Love Antiques, etc. If you want to buy a genuine quality...
Price: £0
Status:
In stockPrice: £0
Circa: 18th, 19th, 20th century
Stock Code: E2800
Large Antique Round End Extending Oak Dining Table Seat 12 Chairs
You will notice on our website that we speak frequently about the merits of buying genuine antique dining tables professionally restored. Its not possible to make a new table for the price - unless veneered chipboard, the plywood fakes ...
Price: £3300
Status:
In stockPrice: £3300
Circa: c1870
Stock Code: e2522
3 Metre Antique Oak Extending Dining Table Seat 14 Chairs
Of Maples & Co design with canted corners to drop moulded top which opens via runners and steel winder to incorporate any combination of the three original leaves to vary length. Standing on turned tapering fluted legs terminating in porcelain...
Price: £3000
Status:
In stockPrice: £3000
Circa: c1890
Stock Code: e2521
5.5 Metre Antique Oak Dining Table Extending Victorian D End
Hugely impressive late 19th Century Gothic Arts influenced extending oak dining table with thumb drop moulded edge to D shaped ends, opening via double sandwich runners to incorporate any combination of extension leaves to seat 8 to 20 adults comfortably....
Price: £0
Status:
In stockPrice: £0
Circa: C1880
Stock Code: E2530
Set 10 Regency Bar Back Mahogany Antique Dining Chairs
Smart revival set of the classic Regency design mahogany dining chairs with concave bar back to moulded frames tied by carved rail. Drop in seats and standing on tulip reeded legs. Upholstery a little worn and saggy but our price...
Price: £2900
Status:
In stockPrice: £2900
Circa: mid 1900s
Stock Code: E2515
Set 12 Georgian Sheraton Mahogany Antique Dining Chairs
Rare model of late 18th Century Sheraton influences these crisp quality late 19th Century mahogany dining chairs feature shaped bar and enclosed pad above a lattice work rail. Stuff over seats and sanding on square formed legs to spade feet....
Price: £350
Status:
In stockPrice: £350
Circa: C1890
Stock Code: E2516
Set 14 Antique Dining Arm Chairs Arts Crafts Victorian Walnut
Fabulous set of quality late 19th Century Arts influenced chairs, all with arms, generous and supremely comfortable. Finials, reeded frame and enclosing relief carved flanks to padded backs meeting stuff over seats. Moulded seat surround and turned legs with jelly...
Price: £440
Status:
In stockPrice: £440
Circa: C1890
Stock Code: E2517
Set 18 Antique Oak Dining Chairs Lattice Backs
Very attractive and rare large set of oak dining chairs with moulded frames enclosing lattice rails and meeting stiff over seats. Square formed tapering legs united by H stretchers and terminating in spade feet. Comfortable, crisp and stylish set...
Price: £330
Status:
In stockPrice: £330
Circa: 19th Century
Stock Code: E2518
Large 4.2 Metre Victorian Oak Dining Table Extending To Seat 18 Chairs
Classic mid Victorian wind out mahogany dining table of immense size and quality. Super hand cut figured timbers to drop thumb moulded top, opening vi double sandwich runner sytem and winders to incorporate any combination of the original leaves t...
Price: £6600
Status:
In stockPrice: £6600
Circa: C1880
Stock Code: E2513
Victorian Mahogany Dining Table Extending To 3.6 Metre 12ft
Quality mid Victorian wind out mahogany dining table with super hand cut figured timbers to ogee and drop thumb moulded top. Opens via runner sytem and steel winder to incorporate any combination of the original leaves to vary length to...
Price: £4900
Status:
In stockPrice: £4900
Circa: C1870
Stock Code: E2512
12ft Antique Oak Refectory Table 3.7 Metres Long
Classic format of English oak refectory table with thick cleated plank top seated to moulded apron frame and standing on baluster turned legs united by moulded stretchers. Super quality construction with pegged tenons, good overhang for end seating and plenty...
Price: £4950
Status:
In stockPrice: £4950
Circa: Early 1900S
Stock Code: E2511
Sets Of Genuine Antique Dining Chairs UK
To restore one antique dining chair professionally with all joints checked and glued, frames polished/finished to specification and upholstery work will cost somewhere between £150 to £250. Not only do we hold the largest stock of genuine antique dining chairs...
Price: £0
Status:
In stockPrice: £0
Circa: 18th, 19th & 20th Century
Stock Code: E2700
Set 12 Antique Balloon Back Dining Chairs
Other than the ancient tired upholstery this set of quite early Victorian period balloon back chairs are in superb condition, generous and comfortable. Crisp moulded frames with pierced back meeting serpentine formed stuff over seats. Turned and fluted tulip legs...
Price: £345
Status:
In stockPrice: £345
Circa: C1860
Stock Code: E2508
Set 10 Antique Gothic Oak Dining Chairs
To make a chair of this quality would nearly be impossible today as there is little traditionally seasoned oak good enough and very few craftsmen capable of the work invlved. If there were then each chair would cost arund £3000,...
Price: £380
Status:
In stockPrice: £380
Circa: C1880
Stock Code: E2507
Set 10 Antique Oak Dining Chairs Arts Crafts Spoon Back
In 30 years and over 10,000 dining chairs supplied we have never had anybody return a set of chairs due to comfort problems. Testament to our great craftsman through the last centuries and their efforts to form and tailor frames...
Price: £3500
Status:
In stockPrice: £3500
Circa: C1880
Stock Code: E2506
Set 8 Georgian Hepplewhite Mahogany Dining Chairs
Super crisp quality set of late 19th Century Hepplewhite revival mahogany dining chairs of provincial Hepplewhite design. Shield shaped backs enclosing pierced rail vase and capped by relief carved wheat sheaf and hare bell. Drop in seats to quadrant moulded...
Price: £2300
Status:
In stockPrice: £2300
Circa: C1890
Stock Code: E2505
3 4 5 METRE GENUINE ANTIQUE DINING TABLES GEORGIAN REGENCY VICTORIAN
LARGEST STOCK OF GENUINE ANTIQUE DINING TABLES IN THE WORLD’ for sale at Elisabeth James Antiques can have our customers sometimes daunted when selecting from the huge stock of over 400 Regency, Georgian, Victorian dining tables in mahogany, oak and...
Price: £0
Status:
In stockPrice: £0
Circa: 18th, 19th & 20th Century
Stock Code: E2500
3 Metre Regency Mahogany Pedestal Dining Table
Super crisp original late Victorian Regency revival triple pedestal mahogany dining table with crossbanded top incorporating two extension leaves to vary length. Standing un turned stems supported by reeded sabre legs terminating in brass toe casters. In untouched original condition...
Price: £3400
Status:
In stockPrice: £3400
Circa: C1900
Stock Code: E2503
Huge Circular Antique Dining Table Over 2 Metres To Seat Up To 16 Chairs
At 221cm diameter this hugely impressive centre piece burr walnut dining table is one of the largest we've stocked and helpfully comes in two halves to allow entrance through standard doorways. The segmented and crossbanded top seats to quadriform scroll...
Price: £6800
Status:
In stockPrice: £6800
Circa: mid 1900s
Stock Code: E2502
Large 5 Metre Victorian Mahogany Dining Table Extending To Seat 20 Chairs
Classic mid Victorian wind out mahogany dining table of immense size and quality. Super hand cut figured timbers to drop thumb moulded top, opening vi double sandwich runner sytem and winders to incorporate any combination of the original leaves t...
Price: £8800
Status:
In stockPrice: £8800
Circa: C1870
Stock Code: E2501
Large Round Antique Oak Table | 6ft Diameter Oak Table Seat 10 Chairs
There are very few large diameter circular antique oak tables in existence so pleased to have this substantial example in stock. The plank top seats to cross rail supports and facet vase stem meets shaped sleigh cross feet. Very sturdy...
Price: £3200
Status:
In stockPrice: £3200
Circa: Early 1900s
Stock Code: E2498
4 Metre Antique Walnut Dining Table | Victorian Extending Dining Table To Seat 16 Chairs Comfortably
Stunning example of the very finest craftsmanship this immense and versatile table stands beautifully on exquisitely detailed legs, foliate relief carved to the hip, slender fluted taper and a jelly moulded collet above the solid brass cup casters. The thumb...
Price: £7400
Status:
In stockPrice: £7400
Circa: C1870
Stock Code: E2497
Antique Oval Extending Table | 4 Metre Victorian Wind Out Dining Table For 16 Chairs
Absolutely oozing quality this remarkable survivor has been in service for nearly two hundred years and still as crisp as the day made by very skilled craftsmen. The top of heavy figured hand cut Honduras timbers with a concave and...
Price: £6700
Status:
In stockPrice: £6700
Circa: C1840
Stock Code: E2496
Antique Mahogany Extending Table | 4 Metre Post Regency Table Seat 16 chairs Comfortably
Early period 19th Century post Regency mahogany dining able with pretty rare shot end mechanism t allow good seating to the ends. Thumb moulded top, opening via double sandwich runner system and dual steel winder to incorporate any combination of...
Price: £9500
Status:
In stockPrice: £9500
Circa: C1835
Stock Code: E2494
Antique Farmhouse Refectory Table | 4 Metre Farmhouse Table To Seat 16 chairs
Most likely from the scullery of a French chateau this huge example is a rare original 19th Century table has accrued the most wonderful natural scrubbed and oxidised patina the thick oak plank top. Banks of drawers all the way...
Price: £5900
Status:
In stockPrice: £5900
Circa: C1180
Stock Code: E2493
Antique Dining Table | 3 Metre Late Georgian Extending Mahogany Table To Seat 12 Chairs
From the earliest period of extending dining table this super George IV example has fabulous hand cut crown timbers to the thumb moulded top and extends to incorporate any combination of thee extension leaves to vary length. Standing on fine...
Price: £3400
Status:
In stockPrice: £3400
Circa: C1825
Stock Code: E2492
ANTIQUE DINING TABLES AND CHAIR SETS 8, 10, 12 16, 24
UK's ONLY TRADE SPECIALIST IN ANTIQUE DINING TABLES AND CHAIR sets with over 3000 in stock in sets of 8, 10, 12, 16, 24, etc.. With sets of 8, 10, 12, 16, 24 and more from Georgian, Regency, Victorian &...
Price: £0
Status:
In stockPrice: £0
Circa: 18th, 19th, 20th Century
Stock Code: E2493
Antique Dining Chairs | Set 24 Early Victorian Mahogany Bar Back chairs
Very rare set of mid 19th Century mahogany dining chairs which have somehow survived 10 generations without being separated. Undoubtedly made for a very large and wealthy estate as the quality of the heavy timbers and craftsmanship have kept these...
Price: £440
Status:
In stockPrice: £440
Circa: c1850
Stock Code: e2490
Antique Dining Chairs | Set 14 Georgian Mahogany Ladderback Chairs
Super quality and crisp set of very generous George III revival mahogany ladderback chairs from the late 19th Century. Delicate relief carving to the wavy railed back meeting a drop in seat and standing on square formed legs united by...
Price: £360
Status:
In stockPrice: £360
Circa: C1890
Stock Code: E2489
Antique Dining Chairs | Set 24 Georgian Mahogany Ladderback Chairs
From the late 18th Century Chippendale design these well made chairs have ogee moulded frames enclosing pierced rails with elements of relief carving. Drop in seats and square formed quadrant moulded legs united by H stretchers. Very sturdy chair indeed...
Price: £300
Status:
In stockPrice: £300
Circa: mid 1900s
Stock Code: E2488
6 Metre Antique Dining Table Round Victorian Oak Extending Seat 24 People
Of immense proportions this top quality late 19th Century oak extending dining table is formed in the round (will seat 10 people before any extension leaves added). The quarter sawn thumb moulded top opens via a huge box section runner...
Price: £15500
Status:
In stockPrice: £15500
Circa: C1880
Stock Code: E2486
5 metre Antique Regency Pedestal Dining Table To Seat 20 People
Impressive Regency revival mahogany pedestal table which will seat 20 adults comfortable when set to full length. The reeded edge top incorporates two extension leaves to allow shorter lengths. Standing on turned stems supported by quadriform hipped shoulder sabre legs...
Price: £8700
Status:
In stockPrice: £8700
Circa: Mid 1900s
Stock Code: e2485
Large Antique Round Extending Jacobean Oak Dining Table 15ft To Seat 20 People
This is the largest late Victorian Jacobean carved extending dining table we've seen for a number of years. Of impressive quality the 5ft diameter gadroon carved quarter sawn oak top opens via and immense double sandwich runner system and steel...
Price: £9500
Status:
In stockPrice: £9500
Circa: C1890
Stock Code: E2484
Large Regency Period Triple Pedestal Dining Table To Seat 18 People
Every element of this stunning Regency dining table offers crisp quality and the most attractive lines and detailing. The thumb moulded top is of highly figured hand cut timbers and is trimmed below with beaded finishing aprons with facet panels...
Price: £19500
Status:
In stockPrice: £19500
Circa: C1820
Stock Code: E2482
4.5 Metre Antique Victorian Oak Extending Dining Table To Seat 20 people
Classic, quality, all original solid oak Victorian table that has survived several generations as a testament to the great skills of the craftsmen employed by wealthy gentry of the period Doubtless they had no idea that 140 years later their...
Price: £8900
Status:
In stockPrice: £8900
Circa: C1880
Stock Code: E2481
Large Regency Mahogany Extending Dining Table 4.3 Metres Long
There are very few genuine Regency period tables surviving in the World today and literally only handfuls at the grand size of this fine example. Influenced by Gillows with his catalogued 'Imperial' design the highly figured Cuban hand cut timbers...
Price: £12500
Status:
In stockPrice: £12500
Circa: c1825
Stock Code: e2480
4 Metre Post Regency Mahogany Antique Extending Dining Table
This table exudes quality and boldness throughout and wonderful to have survived nearly 200 years complete and so well preserved. Following Gillows two part console format the broad top is of highly figured hand cut Honduras mahogany, thumb and drop...
Price: £8400
Status:
In stockPrice: £8400
Circa: C1835
Stock Code: E2479
16 Seater Antique Victorian Walnut Extending Dining Table
Following famous makers Maples & Co design this solid figured walnut extending table features canted corners to moulded top, opening via runners and winder to incorporate any combination of four original extension leaves. Standing on clean lined turned and tapering...
Price: £4400
Status:
In stockPrice: £4400
Circa: C1890
Stock Code: E2478
Large Antique Oak Dining Table By Gillows To Seat 16 People
Top quality Victorian oak extending dining table by famous makers Gillows of Lancaster. All original throughout but need our skilled restoration to bring back to its former glory. Crisp runners system opens to allow any combination of extension leaves for...
Price: £4900
Status:
In stockPrice: £4900
Circa: C1880
Stock Code: E2477
Elisabeth James are one of the last true antique furniture trade specialists offering a vast stock of genuine untouched period antique furniture covering Georgian, Regency and Victorian periods. Operating from our trade antique furniture complex just 1 hour north of London you will find the largest stock of genuine antique dining room furniture in the World and sufficient furniture to fill every room of 100 large period homes, whether drawing room, study, bedrooms, etc..
Uniquely all of our antique furniture is maintained in its untouched original condition and INCLUDED IN OUR PRICES is bespoke hand finishing to your specification to allow your perfect antique dining table to be matched to a set of chairs, sideboard, select your own fabric for upholstery, etc.. Our team of 11 in-house professional restorers work to the very highest standards and the personal service and expertise you will be offered is unmatched anywhere in the UK.
ABOUT ANTIQUE
If you haven’t found exactly what you are looking for please contact us as we have a huge trade warehouse holding one of the LARGEST STOCK OF GENUINE ANTIQUE FURNITURE in the World just one hour north of London
- Over 450 antique dining tables in all timbers, period, designs and sizes
- 3000 antique dining chairs in sets of 6 to 30 in oak mahogany and walnut
- 40+ antique sideboards and dressers in oak, mahogany and walnut
- 30+ antique desks – partner, library, pedestal in sizes 4ft to 10ft
- Library bookcases, bureau’s, mirrors, cabinets, clocks, bookshelves, etc..
Brief History of Antique Furniture Styles, Construction and Periods
Antique furniture, period house interior design and buying antique furniture online todayAlmost impossible to encapsulate Centuries of antique furniture construction design in a potted history but to help for your interest we’ve included links below to useful references within this antique furniture snapshot. As Arthur Negus (face of BBC Antiques Roadshow) once said, when asked ‘did he have any career regrets’ (after a lifetime career of 60 years as a foremost antique furniture expert) he is quoted - ‘only in as much as I don’t feel I’ve had enough time to learn’! This comment makes any true antique furniture specialist smile and nod because we really appreciate the sentiment about the expansive and diverse history that takes a lifetime or more to learn.
Of course today lifetime antique furniture specialists are a rare breed indeed as so many of our greatest antique minds have left the business due to their, seemingly, unrequired knowledge in such an indiscriminate market. The internet appears to most consumers as one large shop window, when in actual fact it is mostly a window of misinformation and often false advertising in a relatively unregulated market. This is the ‘antique furniture’ market today and the subtle differences between good and bad pieces has been somewhat lost in the translation unfortunately. As one old friend described, who has been forced to retire early from the antiques business, ‘what a mess today, with antiques auctions not legally responsible for describing anything correctly and ‘antiques dealers’ who don’t know what they are selling to people who don’t know what they are buying’!
However, if you are reading this then you have at least found an enthusiastic dinosaur (old family business) still proudly selling quality original antique furniture with bespoke traditional hand finishing by experienced professional restorers and polishers.
Antique Furniture History
Doubtless ever since man first found a flat rock or fallen tree to sit, eat or dance on we have used and created useful pieces of furniture to enhance our lives and dwellings. Archaeologists have found plenty of evidence to suggest we weren’t all spending our days thumping each other with clubs and perhaps even created quite civilised dwellings containing useful furnishings. No way of knowing today what the average cave man had as a taste in his furniture but most certainly wasn’t Ikea – we hope!!
Perhaps the first surviving pieces we could safely describe as ‘antique furniture’ are from the tombs of ancient Worlds. Most notably might be the Egyptians whose interest in preserving for the after life . Tutankhamun is perhaps the most famous due to the amazing preservation of the entire contents of his burial chamber which did include various furniture such as tables, beds, chairs, tables, etc.. which do reflect quite sophisticated furniture designs, construction techniques and decoration most similar in concept perhaps to the Louis XV & XVI furniture we understand today.
Earliest English Antique Furniture Surviving Today
In terms of English cabinet made furniture there are examples in museums dating back to Medieval periods but for the antique furniture market today (other than the the Revival of Gothic and Jacobean in the late 19th Century) we would perhaps consider Elizabethan period of the 16th Century to be a very early date for an antique furniture piece. Almost exclusively surviving from this early period are pieces constructed from oak but most indigenus English hardwoods were used and often the furniture was painted quite brightly and any articulations being carvings or if upholstered maybe leather or tapestry work. The jointing method was almost exclusively pegged mortice and tenon joints, with which the absence of glue actually proved to be a very lasting technique.
Medieval 15th to 17th, Elizabethan, Jacobean, Gothic, James, Charles, William & Mary Antique Furniture
The 17th Century antique oak furniture of the James I, Charles I, Charles II and William & Mary periods of reign has survived in fairly available quantitues if the heavy made cabinet furniture such as court cupboards, side tables, sideboards, single chairs and boxes or coffers. We very rarely see original antique dining tables, which would be refectory tables for this period, as probably nearly the exclusive ownership of the elite wealthy at the time. Most folk would be huddled around a fire gratefuly dipping bread in meat stock rather than sitting for dinner around a grand dining table served by staff.
A degree of sophistication came in the very late 17th and early 18th Century in the reigns of William III and Queen Anne. Provincial furniture was almost certainly still constructed from oak and fruitwoods but, with the introduction of veneering as a technique, some quite eyecatching and aesthetic pieces were commisoned for the wealthy. It is possible today to buy Queen Anne walnut chests, tallboys, side tables and cabinets constructed with pine and oak carcas but adorned in exotic walnut and oyster veneers. Indeed this styling was later used buy the Victorians for their drawing room furniture and into the early 20th Century again when their was a revival of the taste.
From the English colonies in the early 18th Century came the first mass imported mahogany timbers and, in a matter of decades, mahogany became the core timber for furniture construction. During the late George I period and early George II a fashionable and wealthy household now included a much finer looking structure of furniture from the evolution of the Queen Anne. The first mahogany was from Jamaica and was incredibly dense, heavy and rich purple red in tone and polished beatifully. By the middle of the 18th Century mahogany became a must and, with especial contribution of designs from the directory (The Gentleman and Cabinet Maker's Director) produced by Thomas Chippendale, pretty much all of the antique furniture surviving from this period today will be of mahogany.
Original English Georgian Early Period Antique Furniture George I, George II
In terms of fully interior decorating a house today with original Georgian period antique furniture then this late George II period and early George III of the mid/late 18th Century is the first period where we could safelly say that the entire repertoire of antique home furnishings can be sourced. Within our own stock we will often have an 18th Century antique dining table dating from the 1770s in Cuban mahogany and associated sets of antique dining chairs, sideboards, cabinets, bookcases, cellerets, chests of drawers, tallboys, linen presses, side tables, etc.. It would be possible to furnish an entire Georgian house with original antique furniture from this period quite affordably.
George III, George Hepplewhite, Thomas Sheraton Late 18th Century Georgian Antique Furniture
Battles with Napolean in the late 18th Century left as bereft of imported mahoganies for the colonies, as merchant fleets were deployed carrying arms to the fleets, and two new designers emerged who further refined furniture design through force of timber supply problems. It was George Hepplewhite and Thomas Sheraton in the 1780s through to early 1800s who introduced the very elegant and clean lined Georgian furniture and interior designs, often inlaid with boxwood and marquetry panel work. Although not a prolific period of construction we do have surviving some superb furniture from this late George III period and, as with a great number of the noted periods of our history, the late Victorians and Edwardians revived the Sheraton design quite prolifically so it is possible collect this George III furniture look on a much lower budget.
Late George III, Regency, George IV Original Antique Furniture
Into the early 19th Century, presumably from lessoning of our wars and economic growth through further colonisation of the World, the late George III period and leading into the Regency became quite a prolific period of furniture construction. Again very refined and elegant pieces were made for the growing number of wealthy houses in England using a combination of all techniques and styles of previous periods. Surviving today we have all the Regency antique furniture required to furnish an entire house affordably. The original Regency cabinet furniture is plentiful and there are a few surviving antique dining tables from this period, which would be the Regency pedestal dining table that we are all familier with, but would now also include the inventions of Gillows of Lancaster (runner system) and Wilkinson (concertina action). With the emergence of the large City town houses, as can be seen in London formostly, it seems the cabinet makers of the time set about making dining tables that were metermorphic in action for these slightly small dwellings compaired to the large country estate homes where a large banqueting table could be deployed at all times. Various designs survive today and Elisibath James always hold a stock of both original and Revival Regency pedestal tables, occasionally a Regency period concertina action extending table and regularly the Gillows type console end extending dining tables. This period is most certainly the first where a customer can find original period antique dining tables and sets of dining chairs affordably and the cabinet furniture for the drawing room, bedroom, etc.. has all survived in quantities to allow even the best pieces to be sold at prices akin to the plywood reproductions imported from China, etc.. by companies claiming (we know many individuals who sadly have fallen victim to the misleading internet marketing) to sell ‘English Antiques..’ such as Canonbury Antiques and Regent Antiques.
Post Regency William IV & Victorian Antique Furniture, 19th Century Antiques
When William IV came to the throne, after the Georgian period of 100 years, English cabinet making had discovered and deployed pretty much all of the Worlds timbers, construction techniques and designs. The transition from the late Regency into William didn’t show too much change but the subtle signs we understand today include some touches of carving, from the former very clean lines, introduction of Honduras mahogany from Cuban, tulip and facet legs on chairs and tables and generally a move towards as slightly more fluid look to designs with curving of corners, etc… from the very angular archetectural of the Georgians. William IV period was of very high quality still and seemingly a quite prolific period considering the quantity of original antique furniture we have surviving today.
When Victoria came to the throne it was naturally that a more femanine touch came into being. We understand Victoria’s travels to the Riviera perhaps inspired her taste for a revival of a Rococo influences in furniture. It would be hard not to be impressed by the opulant and bright tastes of the French and Italians and so it was that English furniture inherited many Continental characteristics. Sideboards were backed with bold carved trailing floral decoration, cupids appeared and scrolling corbels on cabinet pieces. The balloon chairs often decoratively carved and cabriole Louis legs were a must for the parlour. Albeit mahogany was still the mainstay timber, the drawing room now might well be a very light and femanine decor with burr walnut davenports, loo tables and whatnots.
Queen Victorians reign benefited from the 60 years or so legacy of the English Industrial Revolution and the UK was extremely wealthy indeed. Having colonised around 60% of the World, Britania was in full swing! Our major towns had grown to Cities and the population rising rapidly. The middle classes emerged and home ownership possible outside of the wealthy elite. It is little wonder therefore that this Victorian period needed to produce furniture quite prolifically and so much has survived today due to the lasting quality.
For the antique furniture entheusiast today it is quite likely that it would be cheaper to furnish a house in original Victorian furniture than to purchase supposedly quality furniture from somewhere like John Lewis. For the shrewd, who admire quality furniture, it is probably only the negative marketing of the home furnishing lifestyle magazines for the last 15 years, that causes any doubt about the real value for money that antique furniture offers today. Of course not everything we need for a modern lifestyle was made back then but for a quality antique dining table, set of dining chairs and sideboard perhaps, to create a beautiful setting in a Victorian dining room, there is simply no better quality available for the money outside of the original antique furniture pieces. Today an antique desk, bookcase, wardrobe, chest of drawers or all the common housefold furniture is available at very reasonable prices and, if selectively choosing the best quality, will provide any purchaser with a long lasting and appreciable piece when acquired from a reputable antique furniture specialist and restored properly.
Late Victorian, Edwardian and Revival Furniture
Towards the end of the 19th Century much of the World we understand today could have been recognised. Electricy, railways, cars and airoplains existed and the bustling Cities with retail shops. Indeed the end of the 19th Century saw significant evolution from a long period of Victorian furniture design. Many former designs from the Georgian and Regency period, Gothic and Jacobean were revived and made again but the work of new thinkers such as Rennie MacIntosh, picking up on the earlier work of Pugin, with evololution of early designs within the growing Arts & Crafts movement and Art Nouveou as an expression of the new modern World. With such an eclictic taste for around 20 years it almost serves as a summary of 500 years of English furniture design. With our speciality in antique dining tables this period provides everything from a heavily carved Githic refectory, a convention Victorian oak extending through to a Regency styled mahogany pedestal table which all might have been made for the varying tastes in the same street in London. So much like today, the folk commisioning furniture simply acquired to their taste.
With retailing furniture makers now in the High Street or marketing themselves, as opposed nearly purely bespoke made local furniture, companys such as Edwards & Roberts, Maple & Co, Liberty, James Shoolbred, etc.., the wealthy classes were lured to quality named brands for their furniture in much the same way as
With the loss of the Colonies mahogany no longer came in so freely and the English cabinet makers reverted to indiginous species and pine. Oak and walnut were the two timbers predominately used for large solidly built furniture, such as dining tables, chest, chairs, etc.. and veneering work in burr walnut, mahogany and decoratove embelishments in satinwood, boxwood, kingwood. Cheaper furniture was constructed from pine and often grain painted with beech used as a budget timber in the solid with stain coating to replicate mahogany perhaps.
The Edwardian period saw a great Revival in the Sheraton taste and fine and elegant mahogany furniture with inlays and bandings were made up until the First World War. Post war, with econimic constraint and a country rebuilding itself, a more economic approach was taken for foruniture construction and again. A brief Queen Anne revival in the 1930s with burr walnuts now laid on plywood and a mix of every former history of furniture design seemingly made ever since.