Featured How old is this small table?

Discussion in 'Furniture' started by antidiem, Mar 9, 2023.

  1. antidiem

    antidiem Well-Known Member

    Pardon the dust, these photos were taken before I cleaned it. The top measures about 16" x 16" and I've since scraped off and removed much of the bubbled finish. Not sure, but I think it was shellac (or maybe old timey varnish). I used a razor blade to smooth it down, and the shavings looked most like shellac.

    Looked like someone left a 1950s plastic doily on the top for too long and it bit into the surface! I took these photos before I did my 15 minutes of work to it. :) I cheated and used some dark wood Formby's to smooth out the stain, which wasn't the best but worked ok to hide the sins.

    I know, I know, I said I'm not in "buying mode" and I'm not, but when i was there to make a donation that wasn't taken bc they "can't sell ceiling fans" - I found this for $10 at Habitat. (It had an auction tag on it - ??? No idea?) It matches the rest of my 1910-1920s minimal farmhouse furniture look, but I truly don't know how old it is. The eye hooks and screws are attached beneath all 4 corners and as the result, it's very strong and sturdy, so now I wonder if it is older than 1900?

    How old is this table and what "style" is it, please?
    Table1.jpeg Table2.jpeg Table3.jpeg Table4.jpeg
     
  2. antidiem

    antidiem Well-Known Member

    Is it mahogany? ;)

    I can only see the grain best from the underside of the bottom shelf.
     
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  3. petrichor

    petrichor Member

    The wood looks like mahogany. I'd guess 1920s to 1930s -- a lot of mahogany furniture was made then that imitated older styles. All four legs have those screwed eyehooks? Nice little piece, then -- will be very handsome when refinished.
     
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  4. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Ditto. Lovely table, anti.:)
     
  5. antidiem

    antidiem Well-Known Member

    Thank you, petrichor. All 4 legs have the screwed eye hooks, makes it very sturdy.
    I noticed my first photo shows the top as looking a bit "saggy" but it's not, it's the camera's imperfect optics. It's probably the most perfect little table ever!

    Thank you for the confirmation, AJ.

    @verybrad and @Ghopper1924 , have you seen these eye hooks screwed onto furniture like this before? Could you please weigh in on date and wood? What would this style be called?
     
  6. verybrad

    verybrad Well-Known Member

    I have occasionally seen eye hooks used like this. Would agree with a circa 1930 date and mahogany wood. Can not tell if veneer or solid from these pics. Doesn't scream any particular style. Probably would have seemed pretty modern when it was made.
     
  7. Ghopper1924

    Ghopper1924 Well-Known Member

    Eye hooks are a rarity, but of course not unheard-of. Seems modern-ish; I could even go for a later date ca. 1940s. I'd say mahogany as well; certainly its got a mahogany stain.
     
    Last edited: Mar 11, 2023
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  8. antidiem

    antidiem Well-Known Member

    Indeed and thanks! It's solid wood, not veneer or plywood, which caused me to lean towards older rather than newer!

    Thanks, I am just guessing mahogany from the underside of the bottom where I can see the actual wood. I'd never seen eye hooks screwed on for stability and support before, so I had no idea the date.

    What would I call this table to sell it? Is it a plant table? At 16" square, it seems more of a side table. Farmhouse? Sparse? Minimalistic? Depression Era?
    Suggestions welcomed..
     
  9. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    telephone table ..?
     
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  10. Ghopper1924

    Ghopper1924 Well-Known Member

    It's a blend of traditional and modern. Streamlined? Telephone table works, also occasional table, side table, plant table.
     
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  11. antidiem

    antidiem Well-Known Member

    Thanks y'all. It's so functional at 16" wide.
    It seems likely I won't ever want to sell it.. :sorry: :joyful::kiss:
     
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