An unusual late 17th-century burr elm and oak single drawer rectangular side table, the top and elements of the carcass worked in solid burr wood, with axe drop handles, on a spindle turned base joined by a box stretcher. 95 cm wide x 48 cm deep x 68 cm high

Condition Report

Basically period but shows obvious signs of running repairs and perhaps reworking to the underside to re-fix the top with a hole drilled on the upright to the side of the drawer aperture

The top is fixed with applied white wood bearers and the drawer bearers are replacements

The top shows draw peg fixing as would be expected and the nubs of the pegs are slightly proud as expected and show a build-up of patina immediately surrounding them

I think the top is original or has been in place a long time due to the dark finger grease line under the rim of the top matching the outline of the frame. Sadly I think the top has been badly refinished and perhaps a new moulding cut into it as the moulding runs on four faces and not the usual front and sides.

The back looks fresh (ish) from the inside but shows consistent age from the outside

The patina on the base is nice and crisp with a good nut brown colour showing a little water rot to the bottom of the feet

The drawer seems OK and doesn't look like its ever had a lock, this corresponds with the top( no housing) the front has some nice staple fixed handles that are in keeping and look period to me.

To sum up I think the table is basically right but has been repaired (badly )in the past and the top has been re-finished without sympathy or knowledge.

the purpose of the hole on the inner face of the upright is unknown but at the end of the hole is a smaller hole that leads to the top, I can't explain this but perhaps it was an attempt a pocket screwwing the top in place having said this why doesn't the other side have a corresponding hole?

The footprint of the frame on the underside of the top corresponds with the dark finger line seen on the underside lips of tables

I have tried to cover all bases but I may have missed something so I am including multiple images and videos for your inspection so that you can satisfy yourself. I am of course available for further enquiries that may arise that I haven't covered above.

JRL

Please follow the link below for further images and videos

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Gv9rh6_-ZLhQO8rl65XVJjnzfDFVymNR?usp=sharing