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A Victorian figured oak breakfast table, Welsh The timber reputedly from an oak tree known as Derwen Ceubren yr Ellyl image 1
A Victorian figured oak breakfast table, Welsh The timber reputedly from an oak tree known as Derwen Ceubren yr Ellyl image 2
A Victorian figured oak breakfast table, Welsh The timber reputedly from an oak tree known as Derwen Ceubren yr Ellyl image 3
Thumbnail of A Victorian figured oak breakfast table, Welsh The timber reputedly from an oak tree known as Derwen Ceubren yr Ellyl image 1
Thumbnail of A Victorian figured oak breakfast table, Welsh The timber reputedly from an oak tree known as Derwen Ceubren yr Ellyl image 2
Thumbnail of A Victorian figured oak breakfast table, Welsh The timber reputedly from an oak tree known as Derwen Ceubren yr Ellyl image 3
Lot 646
A Victorian figured oak breakfast table, Welsh
The timber reputedly from an oak tree known as Derwen Ceubren yr Ellyl
The Oak Interior including The Danny Robinson Collection
22 January 2014, 11:00 GMT
Oxford

Sold for £750 inc. premium

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A Victorian figured oak breakfast table, Welsh

The timber reputedly from an oak tree known as Derwen Ceubren yr Ellyl
The rounded rectangular tilt-top with twin veneered bands within a broad crossbanded edge, raised on an octagonal shaped column and four simulated grain and scroll-profiled downswept legs, terminating in inward-facing scroll feet, 121.5cm wide x 88.5cm deep x 74cm high, (47 1/2in wide x 34 1/2in deep x 29in high)

Footnotes

Provenance: Reputedly bequeathed by Sir Robert Williames Vaughan, third Baronet of Nannau, (1803-1859), to Mrs Jones Dolawen, Rhyl and by descent to Thomas Eyton-Jones, (Mayor of Wrexham 1875-76).

The oak tree known as Derwen Ceubren yr Ellyl (hollow tree of the demons/spirits) stood in Nannau Park, Dolgellau, Wales. According to legend in 1404 the Welsh Chieftain Owain Glyndwr murdered and hid the body of his cousin and rival Hywel Sele, 8th Lord of Nannau 'within the hollow trunk'. This 'venerable old tree' reputedly fell in July 1813.

Sold with a print and accompanying text, both framed in oak (again reputedly from the aforementioned tree). One an etching of 'Derwen Ceubren yr Ellyl', similar to the example in the collection at Erddigg, Wrexham, (National Trust inventory number 1149879). The other with reference to the tree in Sir Walter Scotts epic poem Marmion about the Battle of Flodden Field, (1513), and 'illustrated in the following Verses, by the Rev. George Warrington's: Ceubren yr Ellyll; or the Spirit's Blasted Tree'. It also notes the provenance.

Additional information