I need to find out more about my set of Queen Anne nesting tables

[areilla10]

Hi everyone,

Interesting looking site you have here.  I'm too broke to collect antiques seriously (and my hubby hates anything that doesn't have that fresh-from-the-factory smell) but I do love them.  I was given a set of nesting tables about 15 years ago by my neighbour.  She said they were given to her but she had no use for them.  She said the person who gave them to her told her they had been sitting outside for ages.  They're in decent shape structurally, but they are in desperate need of refinishing.  I'm down with getting stuff for free so I gladly took them off her hands.  So I planned to re-gild them.  I started sanding down the legs and started noticing that they're actually nicely made.  The table has been plastered and gilded with some kind of metal leaf, but it's obviously not true gold as it has darkened to a dark brassy gold colour with green oxide.  Once I saw that, I stopped sanding because I know nothing about the value of antiques.  All I could remember was that horror story about the lady who sanded down and repainted an old chest, thus removing traces of old colonial blue paint...which killed its historical value.  I didn't want to end up with a similar story, so here I am. 

If anyone has any thoughts or insights about my nesting tables that they'd like to share, I would appreciate it.  Or if you could tell me where I can find out more about how to identify materials, construction techniques, gilding techniques, etc. for myself, that would also be appreciated.  I don't have photos of the tables just yet, but I will take some and post them ASAP for your consideration.  I don't need any estimates or anything; I just want to know if it's safe to go ahead and get a gold-leaf kit and refinish them or if I should be taking them in somewhere for a full appraisal.  I can't tell whether they're very old originals or just reproductions.  They seem to be quite old, but that could be deceiving considering that they've lived a hard life.  I don't really care if they're not in pristine condition; I still love them.  I have managed to hang onto the ratty old things all these years despite hubby's ever-ready threats to toss them in the dump or in the burn barrel. 

Thanks, and I'm looking forward to reading more on the forum!

[D&b antiques]

The first thing is STOP! where you' are until your sure what you have.

[KC]

Post pics!!!!!!! and STOP like D&b stated!!!!!!!!!!!!

[D&b antiques]

Kc the Gilding speaks of Louis the 15 16 th etc. just a suggestion thrown out there. French!

[areilla10]

Hi everyone,

I'm likely going to get cyber-spanked for having touched these things at all.  My only excuse is that I was young and dumb.   As you will see from the photos, I started sanding down the medium sized table.  I stopped after I considered that maybe these things might be more valuable as-is.  So I put down the sandpaper and that was that.  I tried finding someone locally who might know what they were, but to no avail.  I don't even know where to start.  Believe it or not, the Antiques Roadshow came to Kingston not long ago, and I missed it!  And I was working not 500 yards from where they were set up!!  :fume:

The smallest of the three tables is the one with the most gilding left on it.  They must've been beautiful when they were first made.  I have also included some pics of the underside of the tables, which has been painted a red colour.  However, they wood is rough and unsanded, which makes me doubt their authenticity and age.  Other tip offs were the protrusion of what looks like a staple or very fine nail (in one of the photos), a lack of any identifying marks that would've been made by the furniture maker, and that the underside of the table top looks like it might be made of plywood!  I could be wrong...

I'm actually hoping these are just cheap knock-offs so I can go ahead and just refinish them and use them.  If they're not - and they're the real deal - then I'm going to be pretty upset at myself for having started sanding all those years ago.  What do you think?

[areilla10]

Oops.  Forgot the picture with the nail/staple...

[D&b antiques]

There Italian Provincial. the set would have cost ''New'' about $500.00 Dollars I would continue with the refinishing. because it's still a nice Nesting table set.

[areilla10]

There Italian Provincial. the set would have cost ''New'' about $500.00 Dollars I would continue with the refinishing. because it's still a nice Nesting table set.

Can you guesstimate when they might've been made, D&b?

[KC]

Consider yourself spanked!  LOL

They are still nice!

They look Italian like D&b said.  Since you started you better continue at this point...but take your time and do a great job!

[D&b antiques]

likely to be from the 1950's. there solid you can still make them ''Nice''

[areilla10]

Thanks KC and D&b.  You've given me the confirmation I was looking for.  I will continue with refinishing them and I'll be sure to post the pics whenever I get done.  What that will be I have no idea.  I've had the things for over a decade already!  LOL