What is This Piece of Furniture

[frogpatch]

I bought this cheap and thought I could re-purpose it. In order to re-purpose it will help to know its purpose. It is 3 feet wide and has V shaped compartments. The owner had books in it she was selling. I thought it would be good to put some cookbooks there because you can see the titles if you are looking down. Unfortunately it did not fit the spot under the kitchen window. I don't think it was made for books. It would also hold a lot of vinyl record albums but I don't own a turntable. I do have vinyl though. Everyone my age does. If I had a store I would fill the bottom with potatoes and onions or flower bulbs. It is now sitting on the sunporch and beginning to collect potted plants. I don't want that to be its fate. Someone did a nice job painting and distressing it. Maybe someone in China.  Please help.

[mart]

Ooops,, posted to wrong one !!

[KC]

I saw quite a few of these growing up in the well-to-do Southern homes in the town I grew up in.  They used them to put books and magazines in.  This way you could read the spine!

It was called a Book Trough!

Just google antique Book Trough and you will see many.  Original ones in great shape are still worth a bit.  Reproductions are $45 - $60 average in great shape. 

[frogpatch]

Thanks KC. I went into Google Images and found the same one before it was painted. It is made in Indonesia and still available. The catalog had no prices but I am sure it is around what you said. I decided to leave it on the sun porch with a few plants and a few books on gardening and nature. I also saw an antique one that was an austere version of this one for 4800.00. I wish I found that one.

[KC]

They are still great little conversation pieces and still so useful.  I bet it looks great on your sun porch!  Glad you can still enjoy it!