Featured New user - hello - could anyone kindly advise re: painted table

I think the legs are what they are: of the age and type a country carpenter would have done. I don't think the moulding is later, neccessarily.

I'd also do as little as possible to it, I think it's delightful as is. Gentle clean and a wee bit of beeswax.

 

I’m entirely in agreement. Can I ask how you’d go about cleaning such old paint safely? I don’t want to lose any more of that blue.

Whilst I’m not looking to sell the item, it’d be nice to think that I made an at least decent investment at £90, including delivery? Hopefully I can’t go too far wrong at that sort of outlay?

Delighted that you like it!

 

If this table is late 18th early 19th the legs would have to be turned by hand on a pole lathe. This would be relatively easy to determine, if on the other hand they are all "exactly" the same this indicates machine turned legs and a later build.

 

I'd just use a soft brush on it, gently - an old paintbrush maybe. Probably not wax the painted bits, or at least, try a tiny bit first. If you can get an old silk scarf or something, that will bring it up.

I think well worth the money.

If it's country made, late 19th stuff can have non machine made legs and often does.

 

Thanks, I’ll post some more images when it arrives tomorrow. Thanks for all your help thus far.

 

Thank you for the advice. I’ll be sure to post some ‘after’ shots upon completion.

 

Hello again to everyone that chipped in on this. Just a quick update. Have taken delivery of the table and the first thing I notice is that, whilst the top is pegged, the carcass is joined using square nails. Will provide a more forensic account of the piece for those if you that are interest in a couple of days.

 

Definitely country made.

 

Yes, it seems so. What I hadn’t realised - and this is very hard to capture in an image - is that each leg (and foot) is angled towards the centre of the table at around 5 degrees... so if the table were 20 feet tall, they’d eventually meet, as if the table were the base of a very tall, slender pyramid, or obelisk. I’m sure there’s a specific term for that kind of form, if anyone can help me out? The surface area of the table top, therefore, is smaller than that of the base. Certainly seems to add another dimensions of interest (to me, at least) and presumably made for less straightforward construction. I must say, it’s a very pleasing form.

 

The term is "splay" legs in america, not sure about UK.
I notice there is only 1 pin on apron M&T joint, here there would be 2, both at top & bottom of apron, odd there is only 1.

 

Hi - there’s another one here - see image - but it’s covered in paint/gunk. ‘Splayed’ works for me, thanks.

 

Not a difficult build to splay the legs until one adds a drawer, then it becomes very difficult as the drawer must be splayed as well, not easy to do.

 

Right, yes, that makes sense.

 

I'd say typical of a good honest country maker who wanted to make a sturdy piece of furniture. The splay adds stability.