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1

Antique Questions Forum / Re: Gateleg table Questions

« on: September 22, 2012, 11:29:04 am »

Thanks for the replies all. Couple more questions. What would be the best way to clean this up? We took some soapy water to an area of the table and it let more of the character of the wood show through. Guessing the top is an oil or wax finish. Would mineral spirits be the thing to use. Also when I take it apart to plug some of the stripped hinge screw holes I plan on also polishing up the old hinges. Curious to see the age they are from. Cast or hand forged, etc. Any concerns I should have there?

Thank you very much for the replies. Your knowledge and sharing of information are greatly appreciated!

2

Antique Questions Forum / Gateleg table Questions

« on: September 18, 2012, 07:11:07 pm »

Hello all,
Took a ride with my lady today to check out a shop nearby that deals in used items. Some old, some not so old. Anyway, ended up leaving with this gateleg table for $80. It appears to be walnut. The leaves are 21.5" wide and the top 18.5" Each being built by a solid piece of wood. The leaves have been kerfed at some point, the table top has not and has split and cupped. Also metal plates were put on the underside of the leaves assuming to discourage splitting. The legs that hold the leaves appear to have originally run on wooden hinges. At some point metal hinges were installed.

I'm curious of the time period this may have been made. I'm assuming the value has taken quite a hit from the repairs-modifications that have been done to it, which I'm not too worried about as I think it is a beautiful table and am not looking to sell for $$. Also looking for any tips on the finish, ie: how to rehab the finish thats on there. I have stripped and refinished a few pieces and work in a shop that does repairs and refinishing but I have a feeling sanding this piece down to new and spraying lacquer on there would be blasphemy.

On to the good part, pictures!!

ps. forgot to mention, there appears to be a profile of some old hinges that may have operated the leaves(possibly wood??)

pps. Had a lady I know look at this and she thought the legs were hand turned due to minor size variations in some of the leg details. It also seems to be the original finish due to the profile of what may be the original hinge. I can post a more detailed pic of that if it helps.
 







kerfing and add-on rails


Some of the metal


remnants of wooden hinge


to the right of this pic you can see the possible old hinge profile I mentioned.



Thanks for looking folks!