A rare and unusual oak chair-table, probably English late 15th/16th century

the boarded hinged table top forming the chair back, the chair with carved 'parchemin' panels including the reverse, the seat with sliding board

By repute Woolcombe Manor, Near Holywell Lake, Wellington, Somerset.

Illustrated and discussed Michael Dann, The English Smile, English Furniture and The Renaissance 1490-1590, Plymouth, 2005, p. 60.

Very attractive patination. The top has separations, traces of worm and splits as result of great age. Rusted screws and nails now attaching the boards to the two bearers. The reverse of the table top with ghosting from a former large baton and with some nail holes on this site. The right arm with spliced repair and some losses to this site. Some old fragmenting to seat. Repaired breaks on sliding section which includes replaced runners. Rear right stile with partial split near base. The right front stile with old fragmenting and splitting at the top. Very atmospheric. Measurements as a table 70cm. high, 64cm. wide, 73cm. deep.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Chair-tables are usually thought of as utilitarian pieces of furniture and it was felt, rather fancifully perhaps, that they were conceived of during a time when household officials or servants were afforded a single room as their living quarters. The idea being that such pieces could save space through their dual function. Whilst this may be correct the offered lot is of a very high quality - the choice of fine timber and finely executed carving are both indicators of this and it is certainly equal to pieces made for larger and grander rooms.

Single-fold decoration is exceptionally rare as are early chair tables, only one of which is illustrated, and then only the lower section and with the later carved addition of multi-fold decoration in Von Falke, Deutsch Möbel des Mittelalters und der Renaissance, Stuttgart, 1924, p. 72.

The chair-tables occasionally offered by Sotheby's are usually 17th century, an example form this early period is very rare indeed. The use of the almost abstract single fold linenfold would support an early date. Percy Macquoid in The Age of Oak and Walnut, London, 1938, p. 11. states that 'The earlier forms of the [linenfold] pattern had but few folds and were plain...'

Victor Chinnery also notes in Oak Furniture, The British Tradition, Woodbridge, 1979, p. 259, '...rarely does a chair-table serve as a comfortable chair or an efficient dining table. Consequently they are quite rare things in their genuine state'.