Featured 19th century table - repaired, not restored

Seems I spend as much time repairing old furniture as I do finding it. I'm a repairer, but a minimal restorer - I want to keep old finish if at all possible. This piece was free because it was a pile of wood. But I like pieces like this - no missing parts, never been "improved", original (or at least old) finish, just needed a little TLC. Here's the process in pictures. I know this doesn't have much value these days, and even back when antique American furniture was more desirable this wouldn't have been a big draw because it is simple, country made, mid-19th century or so. But I like the lines, and wasn't hard to reassemble - probably even easier than Ikea (though it took longer for the hide glue to dry).

The only repair looks to have been done around the turn of the century: the back of the drawer was cut off (leaving the dovetails) and a bit of late 19th century drawer nailed back in its place. Part of its history.

 

Sheraton, mid 19th century light stand, now referred to as a work stand.

 

Hi,
Great work!!!!
greg

 

Agrees, very nice and functional now. Although these stands were made by the millions and most don't have great value, still a very good looking and now working piece. Working being the key word there because if a piece of furniture is not working, it usually doesn't survive long. Furniture isn't like a painting where you can hang it and pretty much forget it, furniture occupies floor space.

 

I've been using a much newer (60's ?) set of those for my bedroom night tables.
They came out of Morgan's in Montreal.

 

Nice work!

 

I love the way you've done that. It's honest.

 

So many people would have tossed the pieces out, you brought it back to life and it looks wonderful

 

it's a sweet table, and deserved a 2nd life........a feather in your cap !!!!

 

Nice table and nice work. (I've got a similar type table in curly maple that I paid $300 for years ago.)

 

Good job -- I like seeing posts like this.

 

sometimes a simple design can stand the test of time....when helped along..

 

It's so nice to see someone take the time to take something that WAS nice, but trashed, and restore it to a nice useful piece of furniture!!!!! Great job well done and KUDOS!!!!!