Featured Ebony Table

I may very well be wrong, but it has always been my understanding that coffee tables as we know them, low and sit in front of a sofa, did not become popular until after WWII. (Maybe I should qualify, here in the states)

I can see an occasional table being called a coffee table in the Victorian era, as they would have needed something to set the tea and coffee service on. However, I do not believe they were the low in front of sofa table as we here in the states would define a coffee table.

Here's a quote from the wiki posted about Coffee tables. And based on it, coffee tables would actually be after WWI not WWII as I stated.

"Joseph Aronson writing in 1938 defines a coffee table as a, "Low wide table now used before a sofa or couch. There is no historical precedent...," suggesting that coffee tables were a late development in the history of furniture. With the increasing availability of television sets from the 1950s on wards coffee tables really came into their own since they are low enough, even with cups and glasses on them, not to obstruct the view of the TV."

 

Look at the round things, there are grooves cut both on top and on the bottom rows. I suspect the glass panels sit there.

 

Thanks!

 

Maybe it's a cultural thing. Like many nations in Continental Europe, the Dutch have been a nation of coffee drinkers for a long time. Here is an Amsterdamse School interior from 1916. The coffee table I have is much lower than this one.

http://amsterdamse-school.nl/objecten/voorwerpen/ameublement-van-michel-de-klerk/

 

I think it is a (low) game table meant for people (children or adults) who would normally sit on a floor/rug/carpet to play "games." But that is just a wild-eyed guess not knowing the height.

If it is a "game table" I think the "cups" are for holding each person's "game pieces" (marbles, tokens, etc. or maybe even money/coins if "betting" is involved in the game).

 

That is a really cool set. If I saw a picture of that without you telling us 1916; I would have thought 1930s Art Deco or 1950s MCM.

 

The Amsterdam School is seen as a bridge between Arts & Crafts and Art Deco. The tassels at the back of the chair are a reminder of 19th century upholstery.
But we tend to forget that Art Deco started before WWI. The 1925 exhibition Art Deco is called after, the 'Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes' was originally planned for 1915. Obviously by 1915 the French had other things to deal with.
The Netherlands managed to stay neutral during WWI, so they could still spend some time on design. And about one million Belgian war refugees added their own style to Dutch culture and arts.

 

That furniture is TO DIE FOR. And I learned something new! I had no idea "deco" started that early.

 

Hiya chaps. Got a few more pics. Closer up and of the glass. Hopefully this helps.

Can anyone give me an idea of value? I guess it's quite hard to gauge..

 

Fabulous ! I get the feeling something screwed into those cup thingies on the top,you can see wear around the hole. I wonder if there was another layer on top ? Arent you in England? Maybe our British boardies can offer a guess on values,wouldnt do you much good for a floridian to guess!

 

I think there was another layer and that this was a whatnot once. I also think Colonial African, made for either the export/tourist trade or local expats/managers.

God only knows on value. It's quirky enough that I could see it in a London poncy shop for a couple of hundred quid at least.

 

Not sure about another layer. One thing I noticed was that on two sides there are handles, on the shorter ends. This suggests to me that there wasn't another layer above this, and that the table was intended to be carried from one place to another; not left in one place like a modern coffee table usually is; but placed off to the side, then carried out when needed.
Smoking table? Put your hookah on the table, supplies beneath, tobacco in the cup thingies?
Tea table?

 

Glass "panels" could be replacements for almost anything. Somehow I don't see this table with glass inserts originally. Not sure what it would have had. I agree that it looks like another layer was on top.

 

Yeh I'm beginning to think some kind of smoking table myself but perhaps we'll never know. Either way it's going in the Mancave to be cherished. I just hope i come across more items like it but doubt it somehow..

 

You're going to have the most beautiful mancave.

 

Were you watching it to??

 

I bet that had hammered brass inserts. The more I think about those twists, the more I think West African.

 

I am everywhere...and see everything......and it's a unique table for sure !

 

Maybe I missed the answer, but is that hole on the SIDE of that corner round top piece on EVERY corner piece???? And I'm betting that plate glass is H E A V Y !!!

EDIT: Never mind.....I just saw that there are holes on every corner piece!! Do they go all the way through????