Unusual table

On Monday, September 16, 2019 at 2:05:23 AM UTC-4, Bill wrote:
> A lot of wonderful antique furniture at the auction below, but
> its the table, whose photo is at the 2nd link, that motivated me
> to make this point. Anyone know what it is? If you see anything
> you like, you can buy it at auction on Wednesday.
>
> https://www.auctionzip.com/cgi-bin
> /photopanel.cgi?listingid=3319350&category=0&zip=&kwd=
>
>
> https://www.auctionzip.com/Full-Image/3319350/fp141.cgi

My first thought was some type of game table with wells for the
game pieces/dice/stones/etc.

Obviously the spindles blow that idea out of the water.

Are the wells lined with felt or are they hard?

dpb wrote:

> That's worth a posting to Fine Woodworking gurus or museum-type
> folks to identify.

I'm glad that some of you enjoyed it and I enjoyed sharing it
with you! I hereby surrender all control of the matter to you or
anyone else who is interested.

Cheers,
Bill

On Monday, September 16, 2019 at 1:05:23 AM UTC-5, Bill wrote:

>
> https://www.auctionzip.com/cgi-bin
> /photopanel.cgi?listingid=3319350&category=0&zip=&kwd=

Looks like a combination of the Windsor-Sheraton style of furniture. To have a spindle backing is odd for any table. The table top surface is low, more attuned to a (bed?) side table application. It's dainty, not robust.

I suspect it was built either for a specific (and unusual?) use or some craftsman was simply experimenting with combining different elements of design and this was the end product.

Otherwise, the only possible use I can think of is its a nursing table, placed next to a rocker, chair, bed for handy use when caring for a baby.

The owners/sellers may know its purpose/use.

Sonny

Bill wrote:
> A lot of wonderful antique furniture at the auction below, but
> its the table, whose photo is at the 2nd link, that motivated me
> to make this point.  Anyone know what it is?  If you see anything
> you like, you can buy it at auction on Wednesday.
>
> https://www.auctionzip.com/cgi-bin
> /photopanel.cgi?listingid=3319350&category=0&zip=&kwd=
>
>
> https://www.auctionzip.com/Full-Image/3319350/fp141.cgi
>

Oops, the auction was yesterday, but you still might enjoy the
photos.

DerbyDad03 wrote:
> On Monday, September 16, 2019 at 2:05:23 AM UTC-4, Bill wrote:
>> A lot of wonderful antique furniture at the auction below, but
>> its the table, whose photo is at the 2nd link, that motivated me
>> to make this point. Anyone know what it is? If you see anything
>> you like, you can buy it at auction on Wednesday.
>>
>> https://www.auctionzip.com/cgi-bin
>> /photopanel.cgi?listingid=3319350&category=0&zip=&kwd=
>>
>>
>> https://www.auctionzip.com/Full-Image/3319350/fp141.cgi
>
> My first thought was some type of game table with wells for the
> game pieces/dice/stones/etc.

>
> Obviously the spindles blow that idea out of the water.
>
> Are the wells lined with felt or are they hard?

I've never seen it in person and don't know anymore about it than
I can guess through the link/pic. I just found it a "curiosity".

Sonny wrote:
> On Monday, September 16, 2019 at 1:05:23 AM UTC-5, Bill wrote:
>
>>
>> https://www.auctionzip.com/cgi-bin
>> /photopanel.cgi?listingid=3319350&category=0&zip=&kwd=
>
> Looks like a combination of the Windsor-Sheraton style of furniture. To have a spindle backing is odd for any table. The table top surface is low, more attuned to a (bed?) side table application. It's dainty, not robust.

I think that's a thoughtful guess. I hadn't pictured it next to a
bed, but the cavities make a bit of sense in that context. I've
seen some tables designed to hide "booze", but I didn't see any
additional covers for the table, and the tables I've seen before
did a bit better job of hiding the contraband. I've never seen a
table with a spindle backing before either--but I think the style
is consistent with the style of some 19th century pieces. But
the base doesn't scream "fine furniture" to me. Nursing table is
a nice guess too, and I think the best one. I think the "airy"
style, makes the most sense for that. Good deducting!

Bill


>
> I suspect it was built either for a specific (and unusual?) use or some craftsman was simply experimenting with combining different elements of design and this was the end product.
>
> Otherwise, the only possible use I can think of is its a nursing table, placed next to a rocker, chair, bed for handy use when caring for a baby.
>
> The owners/sellers may know its purpose/use.
>
> Sonny
>

On 9/17/2019 5:11 PM, Bill wrote:
> Sonny wrote:
>> On Monday, September 16, 2019 at 1:05:23 AM UTC-5, Bill wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> https://www.auctionzip.com/cgi-bin
>>> /photopanel.cgi?listingid=3319350&category=0&zip=&kwd=
>>
>> Looks like a combination of the Windsor-Sheraton style of furniture.
>> To have a spindle backing is odd for any table.   The table top
>> surface is low, more attuned to a (bed?) side table application.  It's
>> dainty, not robust.
>
> I think that's a thoughtful guess. I hadn't pictured it next to a bed,
> but the cavities make a bit of sense in that context.  I've seen some
> tables designed to hide "booze", but I didn't see any additional covers
> for the table, and the tables I've seen before did a bit better job of
> hiding the contraband. I've never seen a table with a spindle backing
> before either--but I think the style is consistent with the style of
> some 19th century pieces.  But the base doesn't scream "fine furniture"
> to me.  Nursing table is a nice guess too, and I think the best one. I
> think the "airy" style, makes the most sense for that.  Good deducting!
>
> Bill
>
>
>>
>> I suspect it was built either for a specific (and unusual?) use or
>> some craftsman was simply experimenting with combining different
>> elements of design and this was the end product.
>>
>> Otherwise, the only possible use I can think of is its a nursing
>> table, placed next to a rocker, chair, bed for handy use when caring
>> for a baby.
>>
>> The owners/sellers may know its purpose/use.

Would be interesting to know if they did have any further info -- it is
unusual, indeed.

I wondered if it could somehow be a dice-rolling catch basin with a game
board set on the top, perhaps. But, would definitely be a two-player
only and probably uncomfortable at that.

Unfortunately, it has a broken spindle at the left end as we face it in
the picture.

That's worth a posting to Fine Woodworking gurus or museum-type folks to
identify.

--