18th Century Philadelphia Mahogany Hunt Table - Exceptionally Rare

We are pleased to present an absolutely stunning and exceptionally rare and high quality early American piece of furniture history!

This table was made in the mid-late 18th century circa 1750-1790 (George III/Regency Era), and is made of solid mahogany and sits on 8 legs with exceptionally carved ball and claw feet, unmistakably in the Philadelphia style of 'Ball and Claw' carving and legs.
Made of dark Cuban mahogany with secondary woods of either pine or maple.

2 drop leafs on either side supported by swinging gate legs on either side when upwards.

Oval in shape …. It would comfortably seat 8/10 people.

Made in Philadelphia.

Gorgeous original patina …. dark mahogany with his gloss wax finish.

This is a ‘Hunt’ Table and not to be confused with an Irish ‘Wake’ Table.

Whilst ‘Hunt Tables’ and ‘Wake Tables’ are similar in shape and design their original purposes could not be more different.

Wake tables were made and used by indigenous Irish people for 2 purposes: (1) As a full functional dining table and (2) the central section had to be of sufficient width and length to support a coffin for the purpose of ‘waking’ the deceased in their home. Wake Tables were almost always made of oak, as this was the most common wood found in Ireland and therefore available to the ordinary (and poor) Irish Folk. Sometimes they might also be made of elm or sycamore.

Hunt tables. however, we not made for the purposes of holding a coffin or ‘waking’ the dead. They were made for the ruling classes, nobility or gentry for the sole purpose of use on the day of the ‘hunt’. This would be the fox hunting season of Fall and Winter, where the participants in the ‘hunt’ would gather at the local manor house early in the morning and the snacks and refreshments would be displayed for eating and drinking on the ‘hunt’ table. Hunt Tables are almost always made of mahogany which was an expensive and exotic hardwood imported from Cuba and the West Indies. When not in use they would be put up against a wall with the leafs down and items would be displayed on top.

This table is obviously a ‘hunt’ table because: (1) It is made of mahogany (2) the central section is not wide enough to safely hold at coffin at rest (3) the ball and claw feet are rarely found on wake tables as they would be too ornate for the poor Irish folk.

We are of the opinion that this table would have belonged to a ‘noble household’…..a very wealthy English immigrant to Philadelphia in the mid-18th century.

This was probably custom made by English or indeed Irish immigrant furniture makers in Philadelphia for a Manor Home or Estate. It is exceptionally rare to find a 'Hunt' Table from America in this era or period. Obviously, the immigrant brought with then their love of fox hunting and commissioned a quality Philadelphian furniture maker to make this piece for them as this is what they would have grown up with and used in the Old World.

The quality of the carving of the ball and claw feet is of the absolute highest quality. It is a beautiful example of it’s kind and it is very rare to find one of this quality!

Provenance: From a Wealthy Private Dallas Collection.

Dimensions: 94 inches long, each leaf is 23.5 inches deep and the central section is 15.5 inches deep (Total: 62.5 inches deep), It is 30.2 inches tall. It has a Knee Clearance of 29.2 inches.

Condition: Overall in very good condition for its age. One or two minor cracks on the top, at end of the central section and a couple of water rings. The legs are good but slightly loose. Original condition with no evidence of any major recent restoration work (save the hinge screws which look like replacements).