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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: Swdavey on March 03, 2013, 02:17:36 PM
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Just bought an antique coffee table that has two sections that open up from the middle of one side of the top so that about a third of the table can go from flat to having two little doors open and be left open with legs that can be adjusted for height. Very little storage space is there. Enough for some thin books or papers. There are two small metal ringed holes that look like they were for pegs of some sort on the bottom of each flap. They look like they would be used to put a piece that a book or music could be placed on when open. I don't have those pieces. Any idea what this was used for?
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Can you take a pic of the whole table where we can see legs and all !! Also open the doors and take a pic so we can see inside !! Looks like a 1970`s coffee table !! Larger door was for magazine storage and small was for remotes ect !!
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Sure can take as many as needed. Came from South Africa, but don't know when
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Here is another
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Woah that is cool. The compartment has gotta be for magazines, and the pieces you are missing probably turn it in to a table top magazine rack. You can stand the magazines up for easy access.
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What is your location and how do you know its from South Africa ??
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I'm in Canada. Bought it at an estate sale in toronto. Was told the sellers brought a bunch of antiques from South Africa when they immigrated. Could have originated anywhere though.
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Well,, I don`t see anything unique, style wise (other than the inside of the compartments) that make me think it came from South Africa !! It is pretty typical of the 1970`s styles here in North America !! Does the top, without the additional props, stay open on its own ?? Does it look like it was made with the table or added afterward ?? Or without the props, does it fall down hard ?? I can`t see the inside very well but I would think that it was used as additional support to maybe protect toddlers fingers from getting smashed !! I know they changed some of the styles on metal ones back then because of kids injuring the fingers !!
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Wood seems a lot older than the 70s. The legs though look newer.
Needs the supports to stay open. Looks like the table was built this way.
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Why do you say that ?? Top doesn`t look as bright as it should but many reasons for that !!
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Cracks on side and top as well as the general appearance underneath make it look older. Also, all one piece of wood.
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Top pic
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Underneath
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I don,t think this has always been a coffee table,...a pic of the legs and more importantly the under side of the leg,i.e. what sits on the floor...may help...
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I think it's built like a piano bench.
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Better pics make a difference !! Solid piece top would not be unusual if from South Africa !! However the construction is still, in my opinion, about 1970 give or take a few years !! It looks to me, now that I can see the under part is that some of it was made using old wood !! Underneath looks older than top or legs !!
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I think this table is a bitsa,...my gut feeling is that its been cut down...
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Pretty sure the legs are not original. Could then have been any height
Thanks for all the thoughts. Works perfectly as a coffee table in my small living room
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better having a use...as a coffee table..than no use as a bigger side table....
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I think its an excellent buy !! Unique !! No one else has one like it !!
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Thanks. I was thrilled to find it. Had to make an hour drive twice though as they wanted $300 for it at the start of the sale. Fortunately it was still around at mid day and got it for $175. No idea what it is worth and don't care that much. It makes me happy.
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You,re right its not always about..how much you can make...if it gives you the grin factor..then that,s all that matters
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Yep!
It does look like a piano bench. The top looks to be mahogany. I'd say 1950s or 60s as opposed to 70s, but mid 20th century for sure.