Featured Merklen Brothers Round Table

My wife and I have recently inherited this table. We don't know much
about antique furniture, but based on what we gathered, it appears to be a Merklen Brothers table. We are hoping someone might point us to the right direction about this
amazing table. We wanted to restore it, but not sure if we should polish the brass
or leave them as is. The bottom of the table's decoration looks like a small open dish,
and we are unsure if it is missing anything. Looks unusual, at least for us. Any restoration tips are much appreciated as well. Attached are the photos. Thank you all! . Thanks!

Frank & Olivia

 

Hi Frank and Olivia:
You have a beautiful parlor table but I don’t think it’s Merklen. There were many, many manufacturers of such tables in the 1890s, which is when I think yours is from.
Anyway, yours is finer than many Merklen tables I’ve seen; definitely no worries about quality. I’d leave the brass as-is; the patina looks good. Just get some high quality feed n wax for the wood and you’re golden. Congratulations!

 

Quite a pretty table. Just needs some tlc as above.

Debora

 

Beautiful piece.By the way,is that your house in the pic ? If so,it's found it's new Victorian 'happy place'.

 

Hi. Yes, it is our house. Thanks.

 

Thanks! So the brass figurine and the wooden ball (instead of glass) were not exclusive designs to Merklen? The center bottom of the table finials has that cup/dish shape. Not sure if it was designed that way or if it's missing anything? Lastly, thanks for the advice for not polishing the brass. They do look
amazing with the patina!

 

What does the top look like?

 

Here is the photo of the top

 

Since no one has mentioned it, the brass figures look like gryphons/griffins. Have they been painted? It looks like the color is on the surrounding wood, too.

Lovely table!!

THIS GUY has a table with the same elements as yours (griffins, twisted bulbous bits) and he seems confident that it's Merklen.

 

In the absence of labels and signatures then it’s all just informed guesses based on past experiences. It’s certainly not impossible that it’s Merklen but I’m thinking not.

I know a high-end antique furniture dealer that thinks everyone is too hung up on names and that the important thing is recognizing high quality. This table has it!
Of course my friend is happy to mark something up if it’s by Belter or another big name, so there’s that…

 

I agree. Yes, that's certainly true. We love the detailed wood work, too, and the table is in amazing shape. We plan to keep it in the family for generations. Will update photos of the table when we finish the DIY restoration!

 

Looks like to top needs some work. If it were me I would do what Ghoppher1924 suggests and see if that makes it look better before trying anything more involved

 

Hi. Not painted. It is actually more darker in person. My camera is showing more brighter brass color, which is what they are suppose to be, if polished. But we have took Ghopper's advice and leave the patina alone. The patina looks perfectly aged like a fine wine. The wood near the figurines are just dirt/dust and not paint. Camera for some reason are picking up colors different in person. Not sure why.

 

Thanks. Will do.

 

Thank you all! This will be our first DIY restoration. It might take a little bit of time (with learning), but will upload the photos when it is complete!

Frank & Olivia

 

Yes, please do.

Debora

 

Update: The table is about done. Will upload the restored table photos in about a week!

 

Great! Can't wait to see it

 

Here are the restored table photos