Hi everyone, I am new to the forum so Hello! I am wondering if anyone may be able to shed some light on two curious occasional tables I have in my possession. I purchased them from an elderly lady who told me that they were originally from Hever Castle. She earnestly told me that her friend who had worked as a maid at the castle for many years was gifted them when she decided to return to Australia. They have a strange drawer-like timber tray that extends out 22.5cm. The tables are 66cm high and 29.5cm wide. They appear to be made from oak. If anyone has any knowledge or information it'd be much appreciated please.
I would guess if one thinks Antique, and typical Maid's Quarters from an earlier period, the size sounds about right for a little night stand with a little 'tray' for a candle.....BUT I know nothing about a 'Hever Castle', either....and NOW I do!! I think it's a LOVELY little table/stand and if it were under my nose, I'd have it in a heartbeat...providing it were on THIS side of the Pond!!!!
Yes it's a lovely pair of night stands with a lovely story attached. But unfortunately I can not authenticate them. The lady was downsizing and selling her estate off and was not a collector and had no reason to lie as I snapped both up at a good price I thought. The other is unfortunately missing it's handle for the candle slide. I'd imagine it'd be difficult to find an exact piece of antique hardware?
I think they are lovely little things and what perfect tbles for nightstands. I am fond of a pair of anything. Id guess they were around 1800 or so,but we have furniture folks way smarter than me about age. Shouldnt be impossible to find another pull,just might take a while.
JMHO. are the bottom real wood ? looks like stained plywood. what English style would it be ? Hever Castle might also be name-dropping due Anne Boleyn.
. and had no reason to lie.... selling off her goods....=. every reason to fabricate interesting tall tales...
That base looks replaced maybe. Do the tops lift off? That form usually does. No reason they'd not come from Hever, it's common for stuff to get sold off, especially "lesser" pieces. I don't think oak, but I'd like a close up of the wood please. Agree on early Georgian.
Odd that some much space is wasted to accommodate a flat, narrow shelf? Perhaps the base was added to form a hiding place for the family jewels (shake it and see if it rattles). Wood looks more like mahogany or teak?
I also think mahogany. The bottom does look like plywood so would make them modern if original. Story does not ring true to me. Giving furniture to a maid returning to Australia does not make sense, as they would need to be shipped. Would think a maid would be of meager means and not taking furniture home with them. Were they found in Australia?
Plywood isn't that modern here. It became quite common in the 20s, but was used before that a bit. As to the maid, it depends what she was. Lady's maids could become relatively well off.
The pics are all blurry, focused on the floor not the table, so it’s really hard to see. But I don’t see anything to indicate real age, and not the high quality of workmanship you would expect to come from a castle, even if furnished when the Astor’s bought it at the turn of the 20th century. And the plywood looks like imported Asian Luan plywood to me, a mid 20th century thing here in the US. IF that was added later then I could believe maybe from turn of century. Who knows, maybe with pics that are in focus it could look even older?
If it were servants' furniture, it would be workaday. I do still wonder if that top came off. It's tray shaped.
Thanks everyone for your feedback and input. I learnt a thing or two about our nightstands. Much appreciated! Regards Dan
@verybrad - it's a tad scary to realise that things made in 1922 or earlier are now officially antique!
