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Author Topic: Tea Table at Goodwill  (Read 4960 times)

Oceans64

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Tea Table at Goodwill
« on: October 16, 2010, 01:58:14 pm »
I should have bought it - It was crying out to me but I dont have the room - but I want it!  Is it valuable or just junk...

Has square nails everywhere holding down wood molding from the back...
Missing metal in several places - maybe I can find replacements probably hard tho...
Hasn't been refinished or painted...  Legs and molding were originally red and retains much color...
Center piece is missing some sort or ornamentation...
Stands about 8" off ground - Legs not cut...
The sides are "punched" decorative metal as well as a border around the top

Do I go back and buy it?  $60 or is it not worth it (especially since I cant use it...)  Pics are from my phone so apologize about quality.

« Last Edit: October 16, 2010, 02:09:52 pm by Oceans64 »
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mariok54

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Re: Tea Table at Goodwill
« Reply #1 on: October 16, 2010, 02:17:51 pm »
Wow... at first glance it reminded me of the sort of tables that are now being imported from India, solidly made and fancy. But the enlargements certainly do belie that impression. It could still be an old Colonial piece. Do you know what type of wood it is? I thought that the legs might have been coromandel, which would have helped with the sub continent link.. but you say that they've been painted.
If it stands 8" off the ground, hard to calculate from the angle, but is it c 2' across? Quite small, and wouldn't take up too much storage space for a nice project. $60, £40... ? Possibly a bit steep, but if you love it, well it's only money! (Is Goodwill the same as our Charity Shop? Might they negotiate on the price?)
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Oceans64

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Re: Tea Table at Goodwill
« Reply #2 on: October 16, 2010, 02:27:20 pm »
No it's HUGE - lol...  probably 3 1/2 to 4 feet across...  The hubs thought it looked like it was from India as well.  I thought of a Japanese Dining Table but most I've seen are laquered.  Not alot of info on line.

It would be a fun project trying to find some replacement pieces and giving it a good glue up in places.  I just dont think I can keep it  :( 

And still it calls to me!  hahaha
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KC

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Re: Tea Table at Goodwill
« Reply #3 on: October 16, 2010, 02:44:07 pm »
Reminds me of alot of pieces that came out of Mexico in the mid 1900's.  Came in mass quantity.  Wood aged (sat outside to get the aged look as the underside indicates).
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mariok54

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Re: Tea Table at Goodwill
« Reply #4 on: October 16, 2010, 02:49:59 pm »
That centre-piece, is it a nail/pin sticking out? If so, maybe nothing is missing, possibly for a candle?

4'... inch for inch $60 doesn't sound too bad.. If it still calls to you in your sleep then you know what to do..
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hosman321

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Re: Tea Table at Goodwill
« Reply #5 on: October 16, 2010, 02:59:06 pm »
I honestly believe it's a reproduction. While treasures can definitely be found at thrift stores, something that huge and primitive looking was probably looked over by a furniture expert or appraiser. The treasures found at the Goodwill are usually jewelry or knick-knacks that slip past the untrained eye. I think if it were really colonial or antique, it would be being auctioned off on Goodwill's website with all the other rare treasures that have been donated. But still, I'm not an expert so I could be wrong. :P
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Oceans64

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Re: Tea Table at Goodwill
« Reply #6 on: October 16, 2010, 03:06:17 pm »
If I could actually use it I wouldn't be so concerned.

The legs are mortise and tenon and several of the nails are sticking out where there is wood loss. The nails are square and old - no sign they were replaced.  That said...  Nails have fooled me before and mortise and tenon is easy to do with the right equipment.  Those joints are loose but if it's 50 years old that could happen too.

The pin sticking out is where one of the buttons (I think) is missing.

KC You may be right - I could see it anyway but 8" seems low for a coffee table.

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hosman321

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Re: Tea Table at Goodwill
« Reply #7 on: October 16, 2010, 03:11:38 pm »
The most important thing to ask yourself when buying antiques is, "Is it worth that much to ME?" In other words, who cares what it's actual value is on the market, it's worth 60 bucks to you. If you are unsure of the age, just treat it as an item that is brand new. Would you pay that much for it brand new? I think it's worth 60 dollars just cause it's unique and has an aged look. It'd be awesome to find out that it's truly old. I'd say go for it, you obviously already like it!
And I agree about asking for a lower price. I don't like to do it at the Goodwill since it is a charity. But I'd ask if they would take $50. :P
« Last Edit: October 16, 2010, 03:15:56 pm by hosman321 »
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mariok54

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Re: Tea Table at Goodwill
« Reply #8 on: October 16, 2010, 03:16:39 pm »
Hosman could be right. When I said Colonial, I meant as recent as the 1910s - 1940s, when India was still part of the Empire. I'm probably not best placed to comment on prices.... If that were a genuine Indian Table even from the 1920s - 40s, over here, in that condition, it might just realise £20 - £30 at auction ($30 - $45). KC seems to think it's nearer to home and if it is 19th C then that would explain its condition.
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KC

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Re: Tea Table at Goodwill
« Reply #9 on: October 16, 2010, 04:04:49 pm »
As was indicated above....only buy it if you like it.  That is the lifelong lesson that so many people learn the hard way....don't buy it if you don't know anything about it but think it is valuable because it looks old.  I look old (and am priceless!  LOL).
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Oceans64

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Re: Tea Table at Goodwill
« Reply #10 on: October 16, 2010, 04:19:36 pm »
I like it but the only place I have room for it is outside and with the metal and the damp/dark area of the world I live in (PNW) - its probably not a good idea. I wouldn't buy it if I didn't like it.

And KC, I'm not going to lie to ya...  You ruined it a bit when you said it looked like it was from Mexico.  :o  ;D I like Mexican furniture...  Been there many times  - used to live in AZ - but I don't want the old stuff...
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hosman321

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Re: Tea Table at Goodwill
« Reply #11 on: October 16, 2010, 04:29:12 pm »
I didn't know you were from our neck of the woods oceans! Whereabouts?
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Oceans64

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Re: Tea Table at Goodwill
« Reply #12 on: October 16, 2010, 04:50:00 pm »
Bellevue, WA

We are probably (hopefully) moving to East Coast in the next year which is why I am going thru all my family stuff.

I shouldn't even think about accumulating!!  lol
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"In times like these, it is helpful to remember that there have always been times like these." — Paul Harvey

hosman321

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Re: Tea Table at Goodwill
« Reply #13 on: October 16, 2010, 11:02:52 pm »
I'm in Graham, Wa. Grew up in Tacoma. I love it here so much. I kinda want to move to the upper east coast. Maybe New York or Maine. But my husband wants to move to Arkansas or Missouri. So, since we can't agree, we're just stayin' put. :)
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KC

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Re: Tea Table at Goodwill
« Reply #14 on: October 17, 2010, 11:52:34 am »
No offense taken Oceans64.  When I first moved to TX I was so excited and thrilled at the cost of furniture and abundance of it...all the different styles, etc.  I was young then  and short on money.

However, with age comes refinement (or so they say) and furniture styles/tastes. 
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