Help identifying a few old (antique?) pieces

[triciabickley]

Hi all,

I've been trying to learn more about these two pieces of ours, but am not having any luck. The darker, smaller table has absolutely no markings, but simply looks and feels ancient...really old. Its solid wood but getting wobbly. The other table has a beautiful leather top, but damaged in a couple small spots. Best I can determine from a web search and examining it is that it was constructed between 1900-1950, but nothing other than that. There is a "36" carved into the main unit and each of the drawers, but that's not very informative in and of itself.

Perhaps I'm just not doing the right google searches that would lead me to more informative info.

I'd like to either restore/recondition these pieces, or if they're not of much value just sand and paint/restain them. Trying to decide which. Any thoughts on the age/origination of these pieces? What would you do with them as far as updating?!

Thank you for your thoughts.

[mart]

Hi there and welcome to the group !!
The leather top side table or as they are called "end table" is from the late 50`s or early 60`s !!  They were called end tables because the were normally used at each end of the sofa, often with a lamp !!  Value on a good day about $25. !!
The half moon table is from the late 30`s or 40`s !! Almost every family had at least one of these !! Yours is walnut and has a value of maybe $20. with the pie crust edge !! My grandmother had a couple of these although I found them rather useless !!  Would be ok to use in a small hallway !! They tend to knock over easily !! We kids found that out the hard way,,stayed in trouble for that !!   Still have one in the garage but not family owned !! So feel free to rejuvenate these two !! And post pics of the "after" re-do !! Would like to see them revitalized !!

[triciabickley]

Thank you very much! I really appreciate your time and feedback. I'll certainly post photos of the refinished pieces.

I hate to do too much to the leather top end table because it really does have a very nice, well maintained finish, but because the top is damaged I'll have to figure out something. thanks again

[KC]

As for the leather top - I have ventured looking into this myself.

Found some threads about it - but this one has several suggestions:
http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Refinishing_an_Old_Leather_Table_Top.html

[triciabickley]

Thank you for sending the discussion thread on refinishing old leather. Good start for me (who is very much an amateur) in understanding the options available.

I'm sending one more picture should either of you, or anyone else, know more about this small table than what I can find. Based on the style and woodworking, best I can tell is that this is a 1930s - 1940s piece. Unfortunately, no other markings to help me pinpoint its origin.  If you have any thoughts, it would be great. I've had this for about 10 years since my grandmother died and she had used it as an end table.

Thanks again all!

[mart]

Could be a bit older than that !!  Can you take a pic of the dovetail joints on one of the drawer sides and one of the back of it ??  That old red varnish has seen better days !!  I am guessing this was used for storing sewing supplies !! Do not often see three drawers on other types !!

[triciabickley]

Sure.  Here are a few more images, including two with the dovetailing. Looks machine cut to me.  Perhaps I should go back to her house and get the old sewing machine, too! My dad still lives there are we have a couple other pieces that I believe are considered antiques.

[mart]

Still say 1920`s Victorian Revival !!  Walnut,  Could also be a small lingerie chest !!  Would look much better with a refinish just to take the old varnish off and replace it !! If you get industrious you can remove the old varnish with either Formby`s or just go to the hardware store and buy denatured alcohol and a pkg of 0000 steel wool and use it the same way !! That will not remove the patina of the wood if used carefully !!

[triciabickley]

Great! Thanks again. I will do my best to refinish it. ...and I'll make my toddlers stop jumping off of it onto the couch.

What do you reckon its worth in this condition or refinished?  I'll make this one of my spring projects!

[KC]

Looks like a bedside table.  Remember they were made taller to accommodate the height of the bed!  Also has the small ledge on the backside of the table top so when you are fumbling in the night things didn't fall behind! 

[mart]

Could be KC !!  Just not many made with three drawers !!
Value is not much !!  Items from this era are fairly common !!  Maybe $75. refinished !!

[ghopper1924]

Agree on the diagnosis, but think this is more in the 1940s Duncan Phyfe revival era. These pieces could be amazingly well made, but were bought in abundance and have very little value today. Too bad, since something that sells for 5 times as much new in 2015 would likely be 1/10th as well constructed.

[mart]

If the pulls had been different and had not had turned feet/legs I would have said the same era,, Ghopper !!  But decided on the earlier Victorian Revival because of those two factors !! We just have to give it our best guess !!

[KC]

I was actually looking for one of these night stands last year and looked for over 6 months without finding any!  They aren't as common as they used to be!

[triciabickley]

I had a hard time finding any that looked like this, as well. Especially with 3 drawers. All these old pieces available on the market are so beautiful. After browsing ebay and craigslist sales, I'm surprised at how affordable they are even in very good condition. You're so right that the stuff on sales at stores today is the same price but much poorer in quality....and in character. I think I'll take all the old tables out of my dad's/grandma's old house!