Royal Dining Table in Black Lacquered Top from Maison Jansen, 1960s

This long oval black lacquered top extension dining table is one of Maison Jansen’s most iconic pieces. Named Royal, this table was a special design by Pierre Delbée for French actress Jacqueline Delubac in the early 1960s, who hated the idea of a large dining table in her parisian apartment, yet wanted to host diners from time to time. Fully foldable, yet perfectly sturdy, and timelessly chic, this table is really a statement of Maison Jansen master craftsmanship.

The table tops are made of solid oak, fully relacquered in glossy black. It sits on an ingenious base made of gunmetal steel with gilt brass details and wheels. It is made of four different parts, fully foldable, and offers three different options and length. Without the central element, its width is 55.1 inches. Adding one extension, its width is 78.75. Fully extended including the big 6 feet central element, its width is 118.1 inches and can easily host twelve guests.

This Royal table is a very rare bird. It is known that less than 100 pieces were produced between the 60s and 80s by Maison Jansen, and probably less than 10 in its largest version with the big central 6 feet element, presented 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 & Guy Bloch-Champfort, Les décorateurs des années 60-70, Norma, 2007, pages 220 and 221.