Massive Kauri Tilt-Top Table NZ 1860’s

This table is an important piece of NZ furniture and resides in an important state building.  Likely built in the 1850’s it as wide as it is possible to make a tilt-top table because the physical limitations imposed by the necessary dimensions i.e. the edge would hit the floor. The original top had been lost and a crummy-looking over-sized rimu top has been put on instead, the casters were also missing which left the table too low so pieces of old MDF cabinetry had been stacked underneath the top  to bring it up to a usable height (!!!).

I reinforced the split legs and found some beautiful old wooden casters to raise up the height.  I made a completely new top out of kauri, including the apron which I built up in a traditional brick work style, shaped-up then counter-veneered the sides in vertical ‘whitebait’ pattern Kauri.  Assembly was nerve-wracking as the massive table had to be as large as possible as well as tilt up - as originally designed - but also not hit the legs in the upright position. Fortunately it worked perfectly.