NEED YOUR HELP IDENTIFYING PLEASE

I have owned this bench for probably 30 years or more. I purchased it at a yard sale. I know nothing about it so I am hoping maybe someone can shed some light on it. It can be either a table or a bench. There are dowels that you can remove and then the table top flips up and it becomes a small bench. It has a drawer. It is heavy wood, I don't know what kind, with a dark stain. It has carvings on the inside of the back which you would see as a bench but not as a table. For some reason I have the idea in my head that it might be Spanish but I'm not not even sure why I think that. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Kristy

 

Welcome, Kristy -- I'm not a furniture expert, so wait for them. But just wanted to welcome you here.

 

Thank you. I sure hope someone can help me out.

 

It is faux Spanish Colonial from say 1960's or '70's. Wood looks like pine. Disney's "Zorro" show and other media may have inspired this fad.?

 

Thank you. So basically not worth anything. I guess I will try to sell it at my next yard sale. hehe

 

It's charming, Kristy - would be liked by fans of Monterey furniture - plus, it's convertible, and has drawers?!

How cool is that??

Welcome!

 

Hola, and welcome, Kristy!
These pieces are popular among Southwestern and even Mexican-American decorators. Shipping would be prohibitive, but... if you're in CA, TX, FL, NM, AZ... a local sale could be nice... *IF* you're looking to sell.
If not, enjoy!
In one of those above-listed states, I bet you could get hundreds at the right high-end venue.
I love it.

 

As a matter of fact I AM looking to sell and I AM in California although northern not southern. Do you have any advice/info as to how to go about it? Thanks for any info you might be able to offer.

 

Kristy, I'm not a dealer, not even an antiquer, really, but... I know the tastes of my "people". All I sell is my own art, pretty much.
I guess I would suggest looking up the local high-end consignment or auction place and get their thoughts. Or advertise it locally... Craig's List/eBayLOCAL and such. Northern CA... not optimal. Along the US/Mexico border would be best. I do local murals (OHIO... long story... I do commercial/residential murals and sell art on eBay.) Local Latino decorators would give you good money... there is a Latino presence everywhere these days... but they wouldn't want to deal with shipping.
Good luck!

 

This stuff was EVERYWHERE when I was growing up ! Of course , a lot of my relatives were Cuban , a people not known for their subtle taste . Painted , this piece would be pretty cool . And quite useful !

 

Mexicans and Cubans alike! Ole!

 

Any idea how I could find out what it might be worth? I am clueless. *sigh*

 

It's all LOCAL MARKET...
Ask and hope.

 

Agree..... Mexican and not all that old. The advice to seek out a consignment shop for value is a good one. Either consign with them and they take half or sell yourself for, possibly, better profit.

 

AAAAARRRGGGGGGGHHHH!!!!!! IMHO, I would set fire to the paint can AND brush before painting that!!!!! It's too neat looking the way it is......but as long as it still fits well, I'd turn the top the other side up.......looks like the 'shield' is upside down!! Unless someone knows something I don't! Nice Spanish or Mexican looking influence!!!

OH, and Hi and WELCOME Kristy!!!!

 

I don't know where you are in N California - I lived in SF for many years, there are collectors of all genres of furniture - people drive up as far as Petaluma and Healdsburg to shop. I'd put it on Craigslist and mention Monterey - they're not as picky as eBay about keywords and indexing.

Say it would fit with Monterey style, that it's utilitarian, convertible, distressed, primitive, hand-tooled, original finish, Spanish/Mexican (it may BE Mexican) style. It has nice color and I love the edges

Take votes on how much: Start at $200 obo?

 

^^^ Good advice above. ^^^ This might be worth a couple hundred or more in CA. Here in the Midwest, not so much.

 

Drop the "obo".....come down if you have to a wee bit!!!!!

 

$250... no obo ^^^^^

i can second-guess myself ad-infinitum!

 

Thanks much everyone. I will list it and see where it goes. Scoutshouse I am just south of Healdsburg.