A fine oak double wishbone refectory table designed by Ernest Gimson

A fine oak double wishbone refectory table designed by Ernest Gimson, Pinbury 1890's 302cm. x 105cm. Provenance Aylsham Poor House (later St Michael's Hospital), Aylsham, this table was in the boardroom. Gimson had many clients within the county of Norfolk and with his team carried out work on Ranworth church, 1910, Woodbastwick Church, and designed a butterfly house for Bacton, which was never built, with one of his major clients being the White family. Major Timothy White was the founder of the well known regional chemists, Timothy White's. In 1890 he purchased Salle Park Estate and most of the village of Salle, including the derelict medieval church. Soon after moving to Salle, Major White became involved with the neighbouring Poor House of Aylsham. By the mid 1890's he was on the board of Guardians to the Poor House, retiring his position in 1908. Major White's son Sir Woolmer White, with the help of The Society For The Protection of Ancient Buildings restored Salle church and William Weir turned to Gimson for assistance on restoring, particularly the woodwork. Gimson thus visited Salle church, designing the lectern, pews and choir stalls whilst also restoring the nave, aisles and roof timbers. Salle church is only 1 mile from Aylsham Poorhouse. This table is substantially constructed with three board top attached to the base by three cross braces that have been dovetailed through the entire width of the underside of the top, allowing the construction to be pegged and jointed throughout with no metalwork. Literature Lionel Lambourne Utopian Craftsmen Astragal Books, a single wishbone table illustrated plate 223 page 185.