An unusual mahogany table incorporating a historic oval drop-leaf top reputedly made for and used aboard Queen Victoria’s Royal Yacht HMY Alberta.

According to the detailed provenance label affixed to the underside, the table top was originally made for use in the chart house aboard the Alberta and was designed to be portable, being placed upon special supports when required. The label records that the table was used for refreshments by the crowned heads of Europe and other distinguished guests of Queen Victoria, King Edward VII and King George V during the yacht’s service.

The top was subsequently given to Henry John Hopkins, described on the label as a member of the yacht’s crew and a Petty Officer in the Royal Yacht Service from 1904–1914. It later passed to Victor Henry Frederick Hopkins in 1937.

In May 1971, Victor and Evelyn Hopkins commissioned Roy Barton, an antique specialist of Pulborough, Sussex, to restore the table. At this time the historic yacht table top was married to the present 19th-century base, described on the label as originating from a reading table of circa 1850.

The oval mahogany top incorporates two hinged drop leaves and bears an inset oval plaque to its centre. The supporting base is raised on turned uprights joined by a long stretcher and terminating in shaped feet.

The table retains its extensive typewritten provenance label to the underside. Transcribed verbatim, including the original wording and dates, it reads:

“The top of this Table was made for, and used in, the Charthouse on Her Majesty Queen Victoria’s Royal Yacht "ALBERTA" which was launched in 1861 and dismantled in 1912.

The Table was used in a portable manner, being mounted on special supports for the purpose when required. From it all the Crowned Heads of Europe and other World Potentates during the fifty years the Yacht was in commission, have taken refreshment when Guests of their Britannic Majesties Queen Victoria, King Edward VII and King George V.

The Table was given to the present Owner’s Father, Henry John Hopkins who was a Member of the Yacht’s Crew and a Petty Officer in Royal Yacht Service 1904-1914, when the "ALBERTA" was broken up and replaced by the "VICTORIA AND ALBERT". After disuse for twenty-five years, it was presented to Victor Henry Frederick Hopkins in 1937 and subsequently mounted on a contemporary base and used as a coffee table. When 110 years old, Victor and Evelyn Hopkins had the table restored by Roy Barton, Antique Specialist of Pulborough in Sussex, with a ‘marriage’ to the base of a reading table of c. 1850, in May, 1971.”

HMY Alberta was a Royal Yacht closely associated with Queen Victoria and the Royal Household during the second half of the 19th century. The yacht is particularly remembered for carrying Queen Victoria’s coffin from the Isle of Wight to Gosport following her death at Osborne House in 1901.

Provenance: Reputedly HMY Alberta, Royal Yacht; Henry John Hopkins, Petty Officer, Royal Yacht Service, according to the accompanying provenance label; Victor Henry Frederick Hopkins, 1937; thence Victor and Evelyn Hopkins; restored and mounted on the present base by Roy Barton, Pulborough, Sussex, May 1971.

The association with HMY Alberta and the early provenance are recorded on the historic label attached to the underside of the table. The present base is a later marriage and is not claimed to have formed part of the Royal Yacht.

Condition: good antique condition with age-related wear, marks, scratches and variations to the surface consistent with its age and history. The top was restored and married to the present circa 1850 base in 1971, as documented by the surviving provenance label. Please refer to photographs.

Dimensions: 97cm wide, 48cm high, 62cm deep (open), 26cm deep (closed)