A Hunting We Will Go....

[ghopper1924]

One of the things I love about Victorian furniture is that you can study it for 15 years, and still be totally surprised by something out of left field.

Take this table, for instance. I bought it at an estate sale here in the U.S. Midwest this weekend; it came from a 6,000 square foot Italianate mansion, the best of the best as far as I'm concerned. I was drawn by the craftsmanship, but knew nothing about the style. I bought it anyway, and it wasn't cheap, especially here in the age of brown furniture depression.

It was refinished about 25 years ago, and that's all I heard about it. Nothing about age, no provenance of any sort. The carving is accomplished and very robust. Somehow, doing research on the internet, I came across French Hunting Tables as a type. Ca. 1870s-80s.....very....robust! The only difference is that mine is a round parlor type with a marble insert, 32" wide. Most French Hunting Tables are much larger, like 45" wide, and some have leaves. They're meant to be dining tables, that's the "hunt" connection.

So do I have a unique specimen here? I'm satisfied that it's French in the style of Hunt Tables ca. 1875 Those are dragons, incidentally, around the pedestal. Here's a Hunt Table that is not dissimilar (though larger) on E-Betray, if you're willing to clickey:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/313598227650?hash=item4903e934c2:g:hpkAAOSw2kJg6PN2

[jacon4]

Can't really add anything here except, the photos are very dark hard to see much under the table.

[KC]

Can you describe the carved creatures under the table?  The pictures are dark.

Hunt table typically have animals that you hunt. 

Love Hunting tables and side boards.  There are side tables and night stands made in the Hunt style - just not as plentiful and popular as sideboards and larger dining size tables.

[ghopper1924]

They're dragons. If you click on the photo you can get a better view, including the "wings" on either side.

[mart]

Not a hunt table !  Just an occasional table !  Will get into this tomorrow,,going to bed now ! Up since 3 am !!

Well, hope it wasn`t too expensive  ! Real hunt tables would not be round at all !  Typically oblong and not with dragons !  Dragons came about near the turn of the century to about 1920 !   Yes,, you can find many of these tables that say hunt tables or hunt style but that is just a selling point !  Think about it,,and believe me I have cleaned and dressed a few animals to eat ! 
This one just wouldn`t work !  Oh,, maybe for a quail or something but that is not what they would have been hunting for back then !   Its just an occasional table in the hunt style although hunt style would usually have been less robust as you say ! 

[ghopper1924]

Agree that this is a parlor table "in the style of" French hunting tables. Not a hunt table itself. Not meant to dine on. Probably 1880-1910.

Evidently it was taken apart and refinished in the 1990s.

Super craftsmanship. I've also seen a couple that were supposedly made in the U.S. in the same time period.

Always glad to have your input, Mart!

[mart]

Likely this one was made here as well !  Still a nice on and looks  well kept even if refinished !  Looks good where you are using it !

[KC]

It's still beautifully made!

[mart]

Most of these cabinets or tables came from large estates !  Only the very wealthy could afford them !  They would have carvings of whatever animals were native to the area !  My opinion is that they just sort of evolved from tables that typically were used to prepare game for cooking !  Not cleaning,,that would have been done by the men outside !  Just getting ready to roast or whatever method they used !  But,,, thats just my opinion !  Later they were just display cabinets !  The name was just borrowed for tables that had animals on them !

Oh my,, guessing I  am losing my touch,, didn`t even get a rise from Ghopper !

[talesofthesevenseas]

I love the gothic look of dragons! You can't go wrong with them, they will always be desirable.