Expert: Kirk Ryan - 3/25/2009

Question
QUESTION: i was recently given a beautiful coffee table.the person who gave it to me knew nothing about it.i thought it was made of some type of molded resin either epoxy or acrylic.it reminds me of petrified wood. it is about 16 inches high. the top is approx. 41x36 inches and looks like a flat slab of wood that is 3 inches thick. the top sits on an irregular shaped stump about 13 inches high.coloration from a light yellowsh brown to reddish brown with black areas thru out.i will try to attach photo.thank you for any info you may provide,vanessa



ANSWER: I have seen these tables at the high point market in NC. This is a market where all the big furniture companies go and show off their best stuff. I'm not 100% sure, but I believe your looking at one giant piece of non-tampered solid wood. I believe these tables are very expensive(mainly why we don't get them) So basically you've got like this giant solid tree, someone cuts out the trunk, and takes the top of the giant trunk off, and turns it into a table. So you are looking at a layer of the inside of the tree!

It is completely natural. Its like looking at the inside of a tree. From the picture, and from my memory, they do use a lot of thick clear lacquer sealer to prevent any natural cracking and to protect the natural wood. So it may almost look like a glass top, but its just a lot of sealer.

If anyone gives you any gruff about having this tree as a table, just let them know that all trees cut down for this purpose are required by law to be cut only from tree farms who grow trees for the sole purpose of being made into these beautiful tables.

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QUESTION: thanks for the info. from what you have said i take it that this table is worth holding on to.and would you have any idea what it may be worth,and what is the best way to take care of it.again thanks bunches!!!!!!vanessa

Answer
If I'm correct than the table has a good amount of sealer on it, which makes it look like an almost glass top. This is good, you don't need to worry too much about maintaining it. If you spill something, you should wipe it up, but don't panic. I would still recommend using coasters and stuff to protect it though. The sealer can get a scratchy look to it over time from wear and tear, so just do the best you can. Think of it as a glass top. Glass can scratch easy right?

Not sure what the price was, it was a few years ago when we saw them at the market. Guessing it was around $899-$1200.