A vintage refectory table can be ideal for larger dining rooms where you need something bigger than the usual dining set. Refectory tables date back to Medieval times where they were used in monasteries, so the long narrow design is practical for large groups. Later on, they were used to host grand banquets for nobility, so if you like planning big dinner parties, a refectory table might suit your home.
Antique 19th Century Large Refectory Dining Table - 8'10" - Quality
£ 2,096
Prior & Willis Antiques
Large Bleached Oak Refectory Dining Table Solid Oak Farmhouse Rustic Country
£ 1,500
The Bleached Barn
Deep French Oak Farmhouse Dining Table Having Lovely Top
£ 1,950
Sussex Antiques and Interiors
Pair of Late Victorian Handmade Oak Refectory Side Tables - Traditionally Restored - Excellent Condition
£ 2,750
Georgian Antiques
Late Victorian Handmade Oak Refectory Table - Traditionally Restored - Excellent Condition
£ 1,390
Georgian Antiques
Antique 18th Century Carved Oak Refectory Farmhouse Dining Table
£ 2,450
Hawkins Antiques Ltd
Antique Spanish Walnut Dining Table Bleached Rustic Farmhouse Wrought Iron Base
£ 1,500
The Bleached Barn
Large French Walnut Refectory Farmhouse Kitchen Dining Table
£ 1,295
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Make a Vintage Refectory Table your Room’s Focal Point
Whether you have a standalone dining room or an open plan dining area, vintage refectory tables make a great centrepiece and focal point for the room. They can make great kitchen dining tables in larger spaces, where a normal dining table may look a little lost, creating a space for people to gather. A refectory table works especially well in a long, narrow space, as the shape of this type of table makes the room seem wider, great for awkward rooms. Love Antiques make it easy to find an antique refectory table that suits your home, whatever style you are looking for.
Find Many Styles of Antique Refectory Table for Sale
Why traipse around lots of antique shops and markets when you can shop from the comfort of your home for an antique refectory table? Love Antiques lists verified, trusted dealers, so you can easily find what you are looking for online. Looking for something rustic? A style such as a farmhouse refectory table would be perfect in a country home. With features such as a plank top to show off the antique oak or other natural wood, this kind of refectory table is popular with those who appreciate great craftmanship. If you’d prefer something more ornate, then you can find more decorative styles of vintage refectory table. Refectory tables traditionally came from Italy, with the style then becoming popular in France. That means you’ll find all the beautiful design details you’d expect from antiques from these countries, such as carved wood and turned legs. This means you can choose an amazing piece that’s ideal for special dinners and gatherings.
An Antique Refectory Dining Table Can Work in any Space
While it’s mainly people with larger spaces who will be considering an antique refectory table, if you have a smaller home, you may be able to find something that fits your space. When our dealers list an antique refectory table for sale, they will include the dimensions, so all you need to do is measure your space.
Consider a drop leaf refectory table if you are short on space. This kind of refectory table is rarer, as it’s more of a modern feature, but they can be found. This allows you to open up the table when you have people round, then close it when it’s not in use, so it doesn’t take up as much space.
Some other things to consider when finding a dining table include:
- The shape of the room – ensure there’s plenty of space to move around the table and sit in chairs comfortably
- How many people you want to seat – a refectory dining table will usually be big enough for families and people who entertain a lot
- Whether you are looking for an antique refectory table for everyday use, or something for special occasions
This will help you narrow down what you’re looking for, and if you use our menu options on the right, you can search for particular styles such as a 19th century oak refectory table and look at specific categories.
Found the Perfect Chairs? We’ll find you the Ideal Refectory Table
It’s common for people who are into antiques to find some chairs they love, then struggle to find a table to coordinate. That’s why we make it so easy to find an antique refectory table for sale that has been made in a certain material or comes from a certain period.
Some popular items that people look for include:
- Refectory tables for sale from the 20th century – especially art deco and mid-century styles
- 19th century tables – if you are searching for an oak refectory table, then this may be a good place to start
- Victorian-era tables – anything from 1837 to 1901
- 18th century tables – these are some of the most difficult to find, as they will be from the earliest days of the refectory dining table being used outside of monasteries
If you want your chairs to match your table, it’s usually best to look for refectory tables for sale that are from roughly the same era, as they are likely to coordinate well. However, you could also mix and match to get the right style, for example, pairing an oak refectory dining table with modern chairs or benches for a unique style.
Love Antiques is one of the best sources online for refectory tables for sale. This is because we only allow reputable dealers to post listings on our site, so you can buy with confidence. When you are looking for a refectory table for sale, simply browse the website and you can see some of the many style options that are listed every day.
You can contact our dealers directly if you have any questions about a specific antique refectory table for sale, simply click the button on the listing and they’ll be happy to help.
Antique Refectory Tables FAQs
What is a refectory table?
Usually made of oak or walnut, the refectory table antique experts value is long and narrow and was created in the Medieval times. You would usually see these refectory dining tables in banquets of royalty and noble residences. An antique refectory table had circumferential stretchers that supported the table legs. The stretchers were placed very low, close to the floor. Refectory tables antique collectors usually own were popular in the Mediterranean regions as well as central and northern Europe in the 16th century.
Were refectory tables used in monasteries during Medieval times?
Those antique and vintage refectory tables were originally used by Medieval time monasteries before they became popular for royal and noble banquets or feasts. You would find a number of refectory dining tables in a large dining hall for monks. Non-religious use of the refectory dining table is believed to have started in the Mediterranean regions. The antique oak refectory table was popular in the northern parts of Europe while the walnut one was frequently used in the Mediterranean.
Are antique refectory tables valuable?
The antique and vintage refectory table remains to be among the preferred tables for major celebrations up to this day. There are lots of reasons to want the walnut or oak refectory table antique. Never going out of style, is durable and increases in value if kept in good condition, the refectory table antique collectors go for is truly a great investment. Perfect for mansions, important buildings, an office, or any site with huge spaces, the refectory table antique experts value also came in ornate designs. You can find an antique refectory table for sale at a price between £295 and £8,500 here at Love Antiques.
How to get a valuation for an antique refectory table?
When it comes to getting the value of your oak refectory table, it’s always best to go to a certified antiques professional. You can do an internet search to find an expert to help you, and if you’re still unsure of the search results, you can look for a reputable antiques dealer. You can also ask for recommendations from your local antique dealers. They should be able to point you to an accredited appraiser who can help you find out if what you have is one of the refectory tables antique collectors would want.
