Antique Murray Table/Fire Screen Strange Looking Wood

[susiecat]

I know very little about this table,I think it's a Murray  card table and fire screen at least that's what the instruction say or part of paper.I would like to know what kind of wood table is,I've never came across wood like this.

[cogar]

I think the "grain pattern" is a result of the way the "veneering" was cut from the log.

[susiecat]

Thanks cogar!

[KC]

These were more often called folding game table or bridge table and firescreen.

Seen them selling for $45 - $125 depending upon condition and decoration painted on front/top side.

[cogar]

and decoration painted on front/top side.

OOPS, ........ thanks KC, ......... I'd forgotten about "grain painting"  ...... and that very well could be a "grain painted" top.

And when I looked at it again, ..... I would be surprised if it wasn't. 

I tried "graining" once, using the kit with the "flexible pad" ..... and it is really simple to do after you get the "knack" of it.

[mart]

It isn`t painted grain !!  The underside is the same as the top !!  Yet it doesn`t look like any natural grain pattern I know of !!  It actually looks like broken limbs or tree trunks glued side by side then with the veneer cut lengthwise so each piece appears to be layered side to side !!  Hope this is understandable !!

[KC]

Mart, are you talking Texan again?  LOLOL

[mart]

  I think this qualifies KC !!  I know what I am talking about but trying to explain to someone else is diifficult !! 

[susiecat]

Yes the bottom is the same as the top as well as the side.

[SophieMarie]

Mart, are you talking Texan again?  LOLOL

KC,
I'm frightened....actua lly beginning to understand Mart!!!

[cogar]

I hate to be disagreeable but I still think it was “grain painted”.

Looking at the top, it appears they started in the “center” and worked to either side, …. as can be noted by the “dark” edge of the grain always being toward the center.

And ps, it is just as easy to “grain paint” both sides and the edge pieces ….. and then the better looking “surface” can be selected for the table-top. 

On a production line, …. the grain painters and the assemblers are two different groups of workers. 

[SophieMarie]

I hate to be disagreeable but I still think it was “grain painted”.

Looking at the top, it appears they started in the “center” and worked to either side, …. as can be noted by the “dark” edge of the grain always being toward the center.

And ps, it is just as easy to “grain paint” both sides and the edge pieces ….. and then the better looking “surface” can be selected for the table-top. 

On a production line, …. the grain painters and the assemblers are two different groups of workers.

I'm thinking Cogar is correct on this one.  I see it after enlarging....

[mart]

  Anything is possible !!  I would need to look at it in person to tell !!  My computer pics are not that good !!  If we could get a good close view of the edge and a close pic of that label might help !!

[gtyrue]

I believe the "grain pattern" is caused by how the "veneering" was cut from the log
drift boss