Antique Exceptional Quality Burr Walnut Circular Extending Dining Table Seating 10 with Radial Leaves & Matching Burr Walnut Leaf Holder

A superb antique circular extending dining table veneered in beautifully figured burr walnut. The top displays exceptional burr walnut grain arranged in a striking radial pattern, giving the surface wonderful depth and movement in the light. The outer band frames the centre perfectly and enhances the richness and character of the veneers, creating a table of real presence and elegance. What makes this table particularly desirable is the radial extending mechanism, an ingenious design that allows the table to expand evenly from the centre while remaining perfectly circular. This type of construction was considerably more complex to produce than traditional extending tables and was therefore made in much smaller numbers, making examples of this quality increasingly difficult to find today. Circular dining tables of this form were created for formal dining rooms where entertaining played an important role in the home. The round shape allowed guests to sit comfortably while remaining part of the conversation, unlike rectangular tables where diners were often separated at opposite ends. This made them especially popular for dinner parties and social gatherings. The table stands on a substantial pedestal base with four shaped supports joined by turned columns. This design provides excellent stability while allowing generous legroom for diners, one of the key advantages of pedestal dining tables compared with traditional legged examples. The table is accompanied by its matching burr walnut leaf holder, made to store the additional leaves safely when not in use and finished in the same richly figured veneers as the table itself. These holders were produced so that the leaves could be kept together and protected rather than stored separately around the house. When fully extended the table comfortably seats ten guests, making it an impressive centrepiece for a dining room while remaining highly practical for modern entertaining. Condition Report: Excellent antique condition with a beautifully polished surface and rich colour throughout. Minor age-related marks consistent with use. Dimensions: Height: 77 cm (30.3 in) Diameter fully extended: 210 cm (82.7 in) Diameter closed: 153.5 cm (60.4 in) Leaf holder 120.5 x 42.5 x 52 cm Date: Early 20th Century - 1920 Origin: English