There is no mistaking the style and sophisticated design of this exquisite English solid oak refectory table. This table has been hand crafted from solid oak in the Jacobean style using traditional methods in our workshops in Norfolk. If the style, size or colour is not suitable for you we can hand craft a table to your requirements. It has a 1.5 inch ( 4 cm ) thick top, and will seat ten people in great comfort. Whatever the function of this gorgeous table, it will make a profound impression on your dinner guests or clients and will receive the maximum amount of attention wherever it is placed. A matching set of ten ladderback chairs is available if required. Condition: Excellent - please see photographs to confirm. Dimensions in cm: Height 77 x Width 260 x Depth 107 - Table Height 124 x Width 66 x Depth 70 - Armchairs Height 117 x Width 50 x Depth 57 - Chairs Dimensions in inches: Height 2 feet, 6 inches x Width 8 feet, 6 inches x Depth 3 feet, 6 inches - Table Height 4 feet, 1 inch x Width 2 feet, 2 inches x Depth 2 feet, 4 inches - Armchairs Height 3 feet, 10 inches x Width 1 foot, 8 inches x Depth 1 foot, 10 inches - Chairs Oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus - Latin "oak tree" having approximately 600 extant species. Oak wood has a density of about 0.75 g/cm3, great strength and hardness, and is very resistant to insect and fungal attack because of its high tannin content. It also has very appealing grain markings, particularly when quartersawn. Oak wood is very durable, easy to maintain and resistant to wear and tear which is why it can be easily handed to the next generations if taken well care of. Oak wood virtually lasts forever and you can still admire oak furniture in museums and palaces even if it was made many centuries ago. Oak has been prized since the Middle Ages for use in interior panelling of prestigious buildings such as the debating chamber of the House of Commons in London and in the construction of fine furniture. Jacobean The term Jacobean is used to describe all furniture that was manufactured during the reigns if King James I through to King James II. The time period is a fairly lengthy period, and the style of furniture exhibited some changes throughout the overall period. Throughout the period, the furniture showed different influences and style changes, and one can notice these different influences and the effects the influences had on the styling of the furniture throughout distinct periods of the particular Kings' reigns. During the early part of the 16th century, the Elizabethan period had a major influence on the early Jacobean furniture. From about the middle part of the 16th century, around about 1650 or the so-called middle mark of the Jacobean period, the Commonwealth Style which was plainer in style had more of an influence on the furniture styling. In this period, designs were simpler and were usually undecorated. The late mark of Jacobean design coincided with the reign of King Charles II, and a distinctly Flemish Baroque design influence is evident. The characteristics of Jacobean furniture was that the furniture was usually large in sizing, was made to be sturdy and was certainly made to last a long time. However these practical aspects to furniture design had one major drawback, in that the furniture was notoriously uncomfortable. Most of the Jacobean furniture pieces consisted of trestle tables, some chairs, chests and other cupboards, and some three legged circular tables as well. Jacobean furniture was usually constructed from two distinct types of wood, namely oak and pine, although other woods were used. Oak and pine were the most popular wood choices during this period. The latter period of Jacobean design had more embellishments on the furniture, with most tables being adorned with carved panels and other ornamental twists. Some even had extremely ornate Flemish scrolls which made the furniture seem stately in a sense. Refectory table A refectory table is a highly elongated table originally used for dining in monasteries in Medieval times. In the Late Middle Ages the table gradually became a banqueting or feasting table in castles and other noble residences. The original table manufacture was by hand and created of oak; the design is based on a trestle-style. Typically the table legs are supported by circumferential stretchers positioned very low to the floor. In its original use, one or more refectory tables were placed within the monks' dining hall or refectory. The larger refectories would have a number of refectory tables where monks would take their meals. Adaptation of the refectory table outside the monasteries travelled to central and northern parts of Europe in the late 16th century. For example the Italian artist Giulio Romano travelled to France in the first half of the 16th century and brought concepts of the Italian style to the French court of Francis I. Later in the 16th century the secular refectory table spread to Flemish and German locales. While the Mediterranean refectory tables emphasized the use of walnut, oak wood became equally common in these more northern parts of Europe. Our reference: 03869 Please feel free to email or call us (+44 20 8809 9605) to arrange a viewing in our North London warehouse. Shipping: We ship worldwide and deliver to Mainland UK addresses free of charge. A shipping cost to all other destinations must be requested prior to purchase. To request a shipping quote for the items in your cart, please click HERE. Delivery and return policy: We require that someone be home on the agreed delivery day if applicable, otherwise a redelivery fee will apply. In accordance with Distance Selling Regulations, we offer a 14-day money back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the item. The item must be returned in its original packaging and condition. Unless the item is not as described in a material way, the buyer is responsible for return shipping expenses. Buyers are fully responsible for any customs duties or local taxes that may be incurred on items sent outside of the European Union.