Vintage Royal extendable dining table in solid oak by Pierre Delbée for Maison Jansen, 1960

This large oval dining table with black lacquered top is one of Maison Jansen's most emblematic pieces. Named Royal, this table was specially designed by Pierre Delbée for the French actress Jacqueline Delubac in the early 1960s, who loathed the idea of a large dining table in her Paris apartment, yet wanted to host formal dinner parties in her home. Fully foldable, yet very stable and sturdy, and impeccably chic, this table is truly a perfect testament to the savoir-faire of Maison Jansen. The tops are in solid oak, fully relacquered in high-gloss black. It rests on an ingenious gunmetal-style base in patinated steel, with gilded brass details and wheels. It is composed of four different, fully foldable parts, and offers three different options and lengths. Without the central element, its width is 140 centimetres. With the addition of an extension, its width is 200 centimetres. Fully extended, including the central element resting on 6 feet, its width is 300 centimeters, and it can comfortably seat 12 guests. This royal table is a very rare bird. Fewer than 100 pieces were produced between the 60s and 80s by Maison Jansen, and probably less than 10 in its largest version with the six-legged central element, shown here. Literature: Jean Levêque, Jansen décoration, Paris, 1971, pages 116 and 120; James Archer Abott, Jansen, Acanthus Press, 2006, pages 182 and 183; James Archer Abott, Jansen furniture, New York, 2007, pages 232 and 233; Patrick Favardin This large oval dining table with black lacquer top is one of Maison Jansen's most emblematic pieces. Named Royal, it was specially designed by Pierre Delbée for the French actress Jacqueline Delubac in the early 1960s, who loathed the idea of a large dining table in her Paris apartment, yet wanted to host formal dinners at home. Fully foldable, yet very stable and sturdy, and impeccably chic, this table is truly a perfect testament to the savoir-faire of Maison Jansen. The tops are in solid oak, fully relacquered in high-gloss black. It rests on an ingenious gunmetal-style base in patinated steel, with gilded brass details and wheels. It is composed of four different, fully foldable parts, and offers three different options and lengths. Without the central element, its width is 140 centimetres. With the addition of an extension, its width is 200 centimetres. Fully extended, including the central element resting on 6 feet, its width is 300 centimeters, and it can comfortably seat 12 guests. This royal table is a very rare bird. Fewer than 100 pieces were produced between the 60s and 80s by Maison Jansen, and probably less than 10 in its largest version with the six-legged central element, shown here. Literature: Jean Levêque, Jansen décoration, Paris, 1971, pages 116 and 120; James Archer Abott, Jansen, Acanthus Press, 2006, pages 182 and 183; James Archer Abott, Jansen furniture, New York, 2007, pages 232 and 233; Patrick Favardin and Guy Bloch-Champfort, Les décorateurs des années 60-70, Norma, 2007, pages 220 and 221. Guy Bloch-Champfort, Les décorateurs des années 60-70, Norma, 2007, pages 220 and 221. Reference : 307143