How do I know if this table is worth anything?
I just purchased this old table. The lady I bought it from said it was an old homemade Irish table that was over 4 generations old. I am wanting to make it into a dining room table for an old hundred year old home. I don't know if it is valuable or if it is just an old delightful table. I don't want to damage it by redoing it if it is a valuable piece. The top is rough after years of use, There are homemade joints and the underside is definitely NOT manufactured. It is a light yellow wood, as well as I can tell thru the sealant on the table top..I am guessing Oak..but I know nothing of Irish woods. There is absolutely no mark on the table, and it is more than evident that it is homemade. I would like to stain it a darker stain to go with the furniture that will be in the connecting room. I am country oriented, but can not make up my mind how to redo it. But, I wanted opinions on if this is something I should not redo first. Please help me out all you folks that know more than me...Thank you so much!!! I have other pics if anyone needs to see more.
Hello Joyce! You would have to check with an antique dealer or two to know whether you table has any value as it is now. They will look at how it has been constructed and can tell you what wood it is made from. You can look at this table from a few different ways. If it does hold a good antique value it would be more valuable if you left it as it is. And if you wanted to sell it rather than keep it you would have to find a buyer that would be willing to pay what it is supposedly worth. If the table is something you would want to keep in your home and it is not in good enough shape to use as is, regardless of it's worth, you could redo it and give it a new life for many years. You do have a charming story that goes with the table so to me that just gives it value when others admire the table and you take pride in having it in your home. Many times older things are not really worth much but the stories that go with them make for a good conversation piece. It could be that this wood is pine. If so, pine doesn't always take a dark stain well. Make sure you use a preconditioner before you stain for a more even finish. You say that you guess oak but I am not sure that is oak. It would be nice to see it in person! Overall--it's just a really nice find!
I would check with an antique dealer before doing anything.
I am wanting to keep it and use it in my home....Money wise I don't care about it's value, but did not want to redo it and ruin a valuable piece. It is really a light yellow, so your guess of pine may be correct. So tell me what do you use on pine if you want to make it darker? I am thinking of painting the bottom and staining the top, but if it won't take a stain, I am not sure what I need to do...I am such a novice in this kind of thing, any information can only help. Thank you for your comment...I really appreciate any and all the help I can get..I do NOT want to ruin this piece!!!
LOL, you are probably right, but gonna try it myself...Thanks for the advice...I really appreciate it!
Hi Joyce - What a great problem to have! If your main concern is not doing something to a valuable piece of furniture, which it sounds like, then have an antique dealer come out to look at it and let you know the value. It's a beautiful piece and if you want it in your home regardless, then by all means, a little touch up is fine. I inherited my parents old table and decided to leave it - flaws and all and we eat on it at least once a week. Good luck with the project and beautiful table! Hugs, Holly
Oh my goodness I love this table and the patina! Not sure I would do anything but clean it up. It would look awesome with farmhouse decor!
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR ANSWERS...
What a great problem to have :) This table is awesome !