A Long 17th Century Single Walnut Plank Refectory Table From Tuscany, Italy

Description

A rare single plank of walnut with extreme length (11 feet, 6 inches) forms the top for the refectory table … more A rare single plank of walnut with extreme length (11 feet, 6 inches) forms the top for the refectory table from Northern Italy. Tables such as this were often used as dining tables for monks at monasteries. This beautiful example from Tuscany, features a pair of sinuous truss ends with shallow volute carvings which support the inch and a half thick top. The trusses are assisted by a long stretcher with scrolled ends and wedge pins. On the outside of each truss is a series of carved scrolls that run between the step molding on the sides of the feet.

Our single plank walnut refectory table is full of character, such as undulations along the edges and a slight bend to the top, to be expected of a table of this length, structure, and age. The wood also has a deep and rich dark brown patina with some striking wood grain. Old wood block repairs and fills add even more interest to the very old table. Walnut was a staple of Italian furniture of the 15th-17th centuries, as the lightness of the wood (when compared to oak and other hardwoods) allowed for flexibility when placing a table of this size. A table of this great length and relatively shallow depth would look fantastic as a console under a large tapestry or painting. It could also float longways in a grand foyer. less