Victorian table

Hello! I'm hoping one of you generous and knowledgable folks out there can help me with a couple of questions I have about a table I recently refinished. Pictures are attached. Table measures 50.5"W x 20.5"D x 25" high. No maker's mark, unfortunately. It did have some writing on the underside of the table (the number 303), and another number on the underside of the table base ("1518-40").

I'm wondering a few things:

1. It has the profile of a library table, but at 25" high, it feels a little low to be used as desk (which I believe was the main use of library tables). Does this height rule it out as that?
2. I believe it to be made of mahogany, but would love to see if others agree.
3. Based on the construction (hand-finished screw heads) and the style, I'm thinking it was made in the late 1800's. But again, I'd love to see if others agree.
4. I know the Victorian period was all about revivals, though I'm not an expert on delineating them. I would say this is Jacobean Revival, but not 100% sure. I've done a fair amount of research, but people listing similar pieces online seem to play fast and loose with their descriptions!

I'd so appreciate any input/feedback you may have to offer!

Thanks!

 

I'm summoning our Victorian furniture expert for you, @rehabulosity.

@Ghopper1924

 

I’m thinking post Victorian with what I can see, and what I can’t (the numbers), but let’s see what ghopper says. If it has any mahogany it is in the veneer top, the rest is some other stained wood.

As always, we need better pics - especially underneath and of numbers and hardware and wood closeups. Pics taken before refinish could also be useful.

 

Hi @rehabulosity

Thanks for the notification, @Debora!

@rehabulosity , your guesses are pretty on-target. I would characterize this as a library table, although they usually have drawers. This would be more for display instead of work. It could also be used as a center table in a foyer, for instance.

Yes, it looks to be mahogany, or at least mahogany veneer. It’s book-matched on the top at each end with matched burl panels in the center. The rest of the table may be walnut. I’d say that you’re pretty accurate on the date as well. I’d call it ca. 1890s to very early 1900s. It’s a kind of abstracted Renaissance Revival with Jacobethan elements. Or abstracted Jacobethan Revival with Renaissance Revival elements, your choice. I would think that the numbers you mentioned are internal reference numbers for the manufacturer.

Thanks for caring enough to refinish this handsome table, and for having enough curiosity to find out more. Kudos!!

 

Interesting, have you seen much Victorian furniture with (I’m assuming) stenciled numbers like 1580-40, I think of that as much more 20th century. But the requested pics would certainly help nail it down.

I’m really curious what it looks like underneath - my wife says I spend more time looking underneath furniture than I do on top of it.

 

Hand-written numbers were more common in the 19th Century, with stenciled numbers more common in the 20th, as you noted. Since IMO this piece bridges the beginning of the 20th Century it could go either way, but I’ll stick with my dates.

 

Thank you, all!

I attached a few more photos, including the numbers I mentioned, and a couple of befores (including the underside). I should have been more specific: the numbers were handwritten, not stenciled. And yes, the top is veneer panels (with that pretty burlwood section in the center). The bottom did seem like it might have been a different variety, though it took the stain reasonably well enough to be a decent match for the top without any additional effort. I'm not the best at spotting the difference between varieties of wood, so the independent confirmation is appreciated.

I very much appreciate each of you for taking the time to respond!
-Amy

 

Ah, written in chalk, your instincts were correct! That plus very dark finish on the base to obscure the grain to match top and bottom. I wish the instructions for furniture pics included the importance of bottom views - everything else is subject to doubt.

 

The base looks like poplar wood . . . and the dark stain on a Jacobean design influence makes me think it's more 1900-1920's.

 

Thanks again, all! Your feedback is much appreciated.

 

I am going to differ a bit in my analysis. Think the table is walnut with solids stained to match, with the two end veneer panels in the top being mahogany. Think this is late teens-20s, revival style. I would not call this a library table but, rather, a sofa table (designed to sit behind a sofa positioned in the middle of a room). Not really sure they were termed as such when created but that would be common usage for such a table today. Generally, an occasional table for multiple purposes. Could be used any number of places in a parlor, in an office behind a desk, or even in a dining room as a server.