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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: Bowtieguy22 on February 06, 2012, 06:48:14 PM
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Hi, I just found this table in my aunts garage and was wondering what its history was. It has a very heavy solid marble top. The base is very ornate with hand painted porcelain medallions running all the way around. The only markings on it is "made in spain" underneath. I was just hoping someone could provide some information on the history of the item and maybe a value.
Thanks so much
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Can you post a pic of it ??
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i am trying but it keeps telling me the file is too large
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here it is
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another
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Can you make the pics smaller !! When I enlarge them,, its too distorted to see anything !! I did look at the patterning on the marble top and this looks more like cultured marble than natural marble !! But I will wait to see the pics resized !!
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how might I take smaller pics? Just take close ups?
I am having difficulty uploading better pics, they seem to exceed the max size allowed
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hows this?
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What is the difference between cultured and natural marble? Is one better than another?
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Those pics are still too big to enlarge without blurring all the details !! When you take a pic and download it to your computer,, your program will have a way to resize it and make the file smaller !! You may have to look a bit to find it !! If you will click on one of the pics you have on you can see what I mean !! I don`t think its because I have dial up that it distorts the details but try it and see if your enlarged pic looks the same !!
Cultured vs natural marble,, cultured would indicate a pretty newly made table but its really difficult to tell !! Yours has a very heavy pattern and natural has a combination of some heavy and some light !! I just get the feeling of a man made marble top !!
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I hope Bowtieguy doesn't mind, I grabbed his pics and resized. Hopefully this will help with detail (but they may still be too large)
Also, detailed shots of the underside construction methods would be of great help in determining age.
***Darn, may have reduced them too much :P
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Its going to take a while to get them downloaded !! But I will see if detail shows on yours Sapphire !! Thanks !!
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Of course I dont mind the help! :)
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Bowtieguy could you take some shots of how the legs are attached, any joins on the underside. Hardware and methods of joining can be a key to age. Those can often give a time frame based on the method of construction and/or type of hardware (i.e. screws/plates/finish)
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hows this?
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From what I've seen from the images , looks to be no older than the 1960's .... with what appears to be nice mortise & tenon construction , & 'screw-on' legs .
Have not checked out all of the images (yet?) , so I have no opinion as to the item being 'cultured' marble or the real deal , though .
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So what is the value of something like this? My friend that buys and sells things on ebay, and craigslist offered my $250 for it but I dont want him to pay too much and loose money, nor do I want to get too little for an item I would otherwise like to keep.
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I agree with Fancy on the timeline !! Worst thing I see is the wood needs feeding,, likely it is dried from storage !! I think that is a really good price if your intent is selling it !! It looks like a good quality coffee table and what he offered is fair and reasonable as long as it is in good condition and not loose !! The marble makes no difference if cultured or natural as far as sale goes for a newer piece !! I just tend to notice stuff and I really can`t be sure anyway !! Now you would not want to put a cultured top on old furniture although you really would not know the difference !! Cultured marble is very,, bold I guess is the best way to put it !! Natural marble is to me more subdued and softer in tone !! Old furniture should not be overwhelmed by the marble top !! Needs to flow together !!
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Thanks for the info! Now, do you think my friend would still be able to make money off of it, that is his intention, or should I tell him to pay me less for it?
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What should I do or use to clean/condition the wood?
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Thanks for the info! Now, at $250 do you think my friend would still be able to make money off of it, that is his intention, or should I tell him to pay me less for it?
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I do not think your friend will be able to make money off the table at $250. The hardware tells the story, it's definitely not antique. It is nice and well made, but not very old. Marble top coffee tables do seem to still get a decent price on Craigslist at any age though. They are running about $50 to $250 on our San Francisco Craigslist. The little scenic medalions will probably be what sells it, since those are unusual. Some lady will fall in love with it and have to have it. :) If you are trying to help your friend, maybe you can have him/her sell it for you and split whatever you get for it. It might sell better in person at a garage sale than on Craigslist where it is in competition with lots of other coffee tables.
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:) Thanks, thats about what I was thinking. Im glad you validated my feeling. I think craigslist might be the way to go, I will probably try and sell it myself unless he really wants to make me an offer. It really is a nice looking table and I have no doubt someone will fall in love with it and "have to have it!" haha
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Include a good close-up picture of the medallians in your listing, someone will love the lady being serenaded by her sweetheart! ;) It might be good to try listing it as the perfect Valentines day gift, if you can get it on Craigslist in time.
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As for the wood,, any good light oil will do,, lemon oil, tung oil,, just put it on evenly and let it sit ( I like overnight) and wipe down or buff next day !! That gives the oil time to be absorbed into the wood !! After a few days repeat the process !! It may need several treatments !! You can tell that the oil is being absorbed because the wood will go a bit dull in spots after a few days !! Storing furniture dries out the wood and will cause joints to get loose !! You can mist the underside with warm water and a hand sprayer to add moisture !!
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I used old english on it, i used to dark wood formula first, then a few days later I used to conditioner. I will try the warm water spray as well, thanks! :)
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Old English is fine !! The dark will also help conceal scratches !! The warm water spray will just add some moisture to the wood if its unfinished on bottom !! Will do nothing but get the dust if it has had a sealer applied !!