19th c. Irish Hunt Table

Presenting a gorgeous 19th century Irish country squires mahogany Hunt table. This table was made in the late 19th century circa 1880, and is made of solid mahogany and sits on 8 legs with padded hoof feet. 2 drop leafs on either side supported by swinging gate legs on either side when upwards. Beautiful interlocking detail to the side leafs and central section. Oval in shape …. it would comfortably seat 8 people. Made in Ireland. 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. We are of the firm opinion that this is in fact an Irish-made Hunt Table due top the legs and padded hoof feet which more closely resemble the feet one would find on an Irish Wake Table...

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