Trying to determine the purpose of this table

I'm trying to determine the purpose of this table. It has been poorly refinished, I believe that it is mahogany. It's old, but I don't know how old. No labels, stamps, etc... The drawer is tongue and groove. The slats on the bottom should be shown with gaps between them. The previous owner add the two light colored slats. Guesses as to purpose have included a chess table with players sitting at each end. One person thinks it is some kind of school desk. I'm not sure what it is. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Hello and welcome.
I would not seek for any special purpose.
To me just a decorative purpose, from the turn of the century(19 th to 20 th) with art nouveau and oriental influence.
A nice piece of furniture in the winter garden of a old (late!) victorian house.

 

Did you mean 'dovetailing' on the drawer??....tongue and groove is a bit different....

 

The semi-circular cutouts in the bottom look like they might have some special purpose; wouldn't fit wine bottles, though....

 

Just a wild-eyed thought but . . . I wonder if "land maps" and/or architectural blueprints or other "rolled up" paper(s) are what could fit in those "semi-circular" cutouts.

 

Late 19th century stick and ball. If square, a lamp table. If longer than deep, a library table. Don't think any of the slats original. Should have a solid shelf I should think.

 

Not really quite right I don't think but partners desk?

 

I suspect that those slats or planks on the base are not original. Those semi-circular cutouts might hold maps, blueprints etc, nautical charts and so-on.

Whatever it is, it's a beautiful table! Properly restored, it'd look gorgeous and I think anybody would love to have it in their house.

 

I did mean dovetailed joints. Not sure what I was thinking.

 

I think you are right. The planks were glued in place and the glue has released. There is finish under the planks. My first thought was maps but I just don't know. Thanks for your input.

 

Regardless, a very unique and NICE table!!!