January 8, 2010

This is a picture of a good aok refecory table from the middle of the 17th century- or is it??

I spent a long time crawling all over it today in good antiques roadshow style. the top lifts off and simply rests on the base so off it came and we were able to look at its construction. On close inspection it is a bit of a mess. i think the top is probably made of lovely old floor boards, and the legs, whilst they are period in the middle, have new blocks at the top and the bottom. I think the stretchers and the side rails are probably original….

So at some stage in its long life it has suffered greatly and about 100 years ago someone took pity on it and rebuilt it.

So what does that mean for its value. An interesting question. if it was totally original it would be a rare survivor indeed- worth perhaps £10-15000, even if it just had a little justifiable restoration it would be valuable, say £6-8000. But in its current state, where frankly one can’t be sure just what has been done over the years, I think it is about £1500-2000.

Sad for the owner, but what a bargain for the new owner! A piece full of character and history, albeit chequered for less than Ikea equivalent!