Mahogany and Brass Oval Etagere

Picked this up recently here in Central Texas and have some questions for y'all.

1. Style and approx age? I have seen similar ones described as Georgian and Victorian, and most say late 19th, early 20th for age.

2. What determines value on something like this? I have found examples, which to my untrained eye, appear nearly identical but with vastly different sales prices. For example: the last picture shows 2 similar etageres, one sold for $300 and one for $3500. And there are similar ones that sold at auction for for as low as $30. There's not a lot of craftsmanship on these, so is it mainly provenance?

 

Where was the $3500 one from ? This looks to me like 1950s-60s.

 

How tall is this item? I don't think "etagere" is the appropriate name for it. Looks like a bar item.

 

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/étagère

 

Good question re: value, and it’s a question I’ll pose in another context. I think if there’s a highly regarded brand name, quality of materials and construction, original vs. knock-off, age, etc., those are all factors. Age doesn’t necessarily mean it’s expensive, though.

I don’t have any specific information on your piece. I’ve been shopping at antique stores for over 20 years, and aren’t afraid to ask the dealers why a piece costs what it does. The experienced ones show me how to tell the age of a piece, type of construction, etc. Sometimes I still see dealers who say a piece is “old,” and can’t even identify the wood (oak? walnut? mahogany?).

That being said I’ll take an “old, wood chair” that needs upholstery, and fix it up, over pretty much any new chair being sold through mass retailers now.

I’m sure the furniture experts will be by to specifically comment on your piece.

 

https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-a-mahogany-and-brass-three-tier-oval-etagere-5669678/?

Hindman collection....

 

[/ATTACH]

It's 30" tall. I saw others listed as drinks cart, dessert cart, tea trolley and more, but etagere was the most common. It does have small brass casters on it. Maybe that makes it more cart/trolley than etagere?

 

An etagere does not normally move around. It's intended for display of your lovely items. Drinks cart sounds good to me.

 

i like the casters........they look to have honest age to them.........