1920’s Oak Refectory Table by Philip Tilden

A 1920’s quarter sawn oak refectory table by Philip Tilden for Heal and Sons, the rectangular top raised on double Tuscan-style column end standards, joined by a flat stretcher, on bracket feet. English, 1922-1925

In 1922 architect and avid traditionalist Philip Tilden was asked by Heal & Sons to develop a table for Winston Churchill at Chartwell. He improved on an existing Heal’s design to meet Churchill’s (unconventional) desire for a narrower width – believing that a narrow table would encourage more conversation… and what conversations they must have been!
Ambrose Heal liked Tilden’s design so much that, with his permission, he began to produce it with his Heal cabinet makers and sell it in his infamous shop.