Seeking information on this carved table set

CraftingStuff
by CraftingStuff
We received this table set from my husband's parents over 30 years ago. We were told that they had purchased them while stationed in Turkey in the 1950's or 60's, but they appear to have a Chinese/Japanese scenes carved into them. There are 2 end tables that each have one drawer at the bottom and one coffee table with doors in the middle and a drawer at the bottom. There is glass that covers the top carvings on each table. I am in the process of trying to clean them up after being stored and wanted to see if anyone had information about the style and the best way to clean and preserve them. We were told that they were teak. Thank you all in advance.
top carving on one of the end tables
the legs on each table have these on all four corners
the bottom has this carving and on one side is a drawer that pulls out.
  8 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Sep 07, 2015
    If indeed they are teak apply teak oil with a soft rag and polish.
  • Debs Debs on Sep 07, 2015
    I am sorry, I have no idea about them or how to clean teak wood, I just want to say that they are beautiful and a real treasure! I hope you can find out about them.
  • Michele Mancini Michele Mancini on Sep 08, 2015
    Chinese, 1970's. Possibly teak, but maybe rosewood. I have a pair without the carving but identical in shape and design. If wipe down with white spirit and condition with team oil.
  • Lola Lola on Sep 08, 2015
    Get out the old toothbrush, painters' brush and q tips to clean in the crevices, I would use a blow dryer to get off any dust, use the various brushes to get into any crevices and polish with lemon oil.
  • Elaine Postley Elaine Postley on Sep 08, 2015
    The carvings are surely hand done. Is it possible they are older than than the tables ? I would not do a thing to them until you know exactly what they from an expert.
  • Cynthia Cynthia on Sep 08, 2015
    do not guess on the wood....have it looked at by a professional.....and what they suggest.....
  • CraftingStuff CraftingStuff on Sep 08, 2015
    Thank you all for the input. I have used a soft bristle toothbrush to break up the dust & dirt on the outside areas of the tables. I will not touch the large inside carvings for fear of damaging them. They seem too delicate to even try to work with. I will stop with them at this point until I can have a professional look at them.
  • Maggie Huffman Maggie Huffman on Sep 21, 2015
    i found Thai style carvings that are similar & many that depict all sorts of pictures. they could be any age, but are not necessarily Turkish. if you know family history, i see no reason to think otherwise. they're quite beautiful! lucky you!!