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English Victorian Britannia Cast Iron Pub Table

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:150.00 USD Estimated At:600.00 - 1,200.00 USD
English Victorian Britannia Cast Iron Pub Table
Presented on this lot is an English Victorian Britannia Cast Iron Pub Table circa, 1900. Britannia is the national personification of Britain as a helmeted female warrior holding a trident and shield. An image first used in classical antiquity, the Latin "Britannia" was the name variously applied to the British Isles, Great Britain, and the Roman province of Britain during the Roman Empire. A British cultural icon, she was featured on all modern British coinage series until the redesign in 2008. The Britannia style of table became popular in public houses from the middle of the 19th Century. The Beerhouse Act of 1830 led to a growth in the establishment of public houses throughout the country together with an associated need to furnish them quickly and cheaply. With typical Victorian ingenuity, the mass production of iron castings made producing both indoor and outdoor furniture relatively cost efficient and easy, giving rise to the style which was to become “Britannia”, characterized by a tripod arrangement of cast iron legs, held together with an iron centre base. The Britannia name came from the use of an image of “Britannia” cast into the top of each leg, making them a patriotic reminder of the Victorian era. Britannia design legs were cast in several foundries across the Midlands and Yorkshire and sent for assembly to pub and hotel fitters. One of the most prolific suppliers of this style to the trade, was Lund and Reynolds. Their business was based in Kirkgate, Bradford. Each cast iron cabriole leg has a centred Britannia figure with clawed feet, ornate lion's heads and floral design along the pierced upper apron framework. Solid black painted circular wood top, medial pierced scrolled cast iron shelf exhibits past repair, wood top exhibits paint peeling, cast iron areas are painted white, slight oxidation and paint scuffing observed. A nice piece. Measures 24"W diameter x 31.5"H approximately. Weight approximate 58lb, 12oz.