The Majestic Four Oaks Dining Table: A Fusion of Craftsmanship and Heritage
Photo: Durston Saylor Photography
In a grand hunting lodge, nestled within a sprawling 3,500-hectare estate, a table unlike any other came to life. Commissioned to honour the estate’s four ancient oak trees, the Four Oaks extendable dining table is more than just furniture, it’s a masterpiece of craftsmanship and design.
Stretching an astonishing 28 feet (8.6 metres) in length and 8 feet (2.4 metres) in width, the table echoes the grand tables of historic estates like Chatsworth and Castle Howard. But its size is only part of its marvel. With a richly detailed marquetry top and a modular design, it can seat 12, 18, or even 24 guests, making it perfect for gatherings of all sizes.
Split into four sections, each resting on a sculpted, tree-inspired base, the table subtly mirrors the four mighty oaks of the estate. The chosen wood, American black curl walnut, is no ordinary timber. This highly prized material has long been favoured by England’s most renowned gunsmiths; Boss & Co., Holland & Holland, and James Purdey & Sons, for crafting exquisite game hunting shotguns. It was a fitting nod to the estate’s hunting tradition.
The artisans at Silverlining, the renowned British furniture makers behind this creation, didn’t stop at celebrating the walnut’s natural beauty. They wove in a second layer of artistry: a double-helix pattern in darker bands of American black rippled walnut, creating a mesmerising interplay of textures. This rippled wood, often called ‘fiddleback’ due to its use in violins, added yet another dimension to the table’s striking surface.
Ensuring the pattern remained seamless across all configurations, whether in two, three, or four sections—was an extraordinary feat. The curling walnut grains matched flawlessly across the joins, as did the delicate rippled inlays and the fine leather edging. Such meticulous attention to detail is the hallmark of Silverlining’s expertise, demonstrating their mastery in veneer marquetry, hand carving, lacquer finishing, and leathercrafting.
Sourcing the perfect wood was another adventure. Mark Boddington, Silverlining’s founder, remarked, “The veneers we found for this table were the largest we’d come across in 20 years. The client is incredibly fortunate, but the table itself is a fitting tribute to these extraordinary materials.”
Curl walnut, the star of the table, is a rarity. It forms at the base of a tree where a single trunk splits into two, creating a ‘Y’ shape. Here, the wood compresses and buckles, resulting in the distinctive curling pattern so treasured by furniture makers. Only a handful of tree species, mahogany, avodire, cerejeira, and European and American walnut, produce this remarkable grain.
To transform raw timber into delicate veneers, the wood was boiled for weeks before being finely sliced. Each paper-thin sheet was then dried, flattened, and carefully arranged so the grain could be reconstructed like a puzzle. A total of 192 leaves adorned the top surface of the table, with another 192 placed beneath, a necessity to maintain balance and prevent warping.
The artistry didn’t end there. Four decorative bowls, carved with a flowing, ripple-like pattern, were embedded into the table. First, a full-sized model was crafted, allowing carvers to refine the design. Then, blocks of solid American walnut were shaped, their surfaces carefully chiselled to mimic the movement of water. Skilled hands worked tirelessly, ensuring each groove was sculpted with razor-sharp precision. The surface was finished directly from the chisel, preserving every intricate detail.
After construction, the table received its crowning touch: a hand-burnished, mirror-gloss lacquer. This final flourish amplified the richness of the walnut, making the swirling patterns gleam under the light. Once polished to perfection, it moved to Silverlining’s leather department, where artisans crafted the leather edging. Hand-tooled black coach-hide wrapped around the table’s perimeter, textured with branch-like embossing to mimic the Spanish moss hanging from the estate’s ancient oaks. The four bases were similarly clad in coach-hide leather, completing the table’s organic, nature-inspired aesthetic.
At last, the final assembly took place. The four tabletop sections were affixed to their pedestals, which in turn were secured onto elliptical plinths of deep chocolate-brown Emperador Scuro marble. When all four pieces were joined, the grand table stood complete, Silverlining’s largest creation to date.
To mark the occasion, the entire Silverlining team gathered for a commemorative photograph around the table. Thirty-eight craftspeople stood proudly beside it, though even more hands had played a role in its making. But the journey was not over yet. With the clock ticking, the table had to be carefully packed into custom-built cases and transported 4,610 miles across the Atlantic, all within 18 weeks, in time for an annual Thanksgiving feast.
This was no ordinary dining table. It was a labour of love, a feat of engineering, and a tribute to nature’s beauty. More than just a place to gather, it told a story, one of heritage, craftsmanship, and the timeless artistry of wood.
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