A Long 17th Century Carved Oak Baluster Leg Table From Flanders

At over nine feet long, this sumptuous oak baluster leg table was hand-carved with an H-stretcher in Flanders, circa 1680. Long tables such as these were known as table de communauté and were designed to accommodate as many seats as possible. Religious institutions such as convents and monasteries often had elaborately carved tables spread throughout their dining hall. Notice the highly carved apron, which is adorned with a repeating pattern of foliate scrolls on top of a textured background. E