Expert: Eileen Cronk - 11/22/2007

Question
Hi Eileen!

I have just purchased an old, solid wood coffee table that I would like to know more about. It measures 27 1/2" long by 20 1/2" wide by 20 1/2" tall. The top is made from one solid piece of wood with another layer of individual planks laid over it, eight in the middle and one perpendicular to them at each (long) end. The legs are set back from the edges and between them at the bottom of the table is a shelf (about an inch off the floor)made from three more planks. All boards are at least 1" to 1 1/2" thick. The wood appears to be something heavy and reddish, with a large dark grain and very few burls or knotholes. There is no maker's mark anywhere on the table that I can see. I can see large wood staples holding it together underneath.

I picked this piece up at a thrift store in southern Wisconsin and would love to know its history. Do you think it is handmade or mass-produced? Would it be worth refinishing?

THANKS!

Answer
Hi Laura
Nice to hear from you.
What an interesting find.
By your description of the wood, it could be red cedar, although its not heavy, the layers you describe and the construction could make it so.
Or it could be red oak. Both these woods can have a large grain. But a table this size with the 1 1/2 inch thick boards and double top and lower shelf would be extremely heavy made of oak.
An antique coffee table does not really exist, but this sounds like it could be hand made and possibly old.
I picture such a table on the porch of a cabin...my imagination LOL
But it would be nice to see a picture as this is just guess work.
Leave any refinishing till you know more.
Heres a little bit more of my musing as you are my only question this evening.
I am up in Southern Ontario in the Muskokas.
You would not believe the prices old Muskoka cabin or porch furniture get at auction.
Some of these pieces are litterally falling apart.
All they need is a hint of peeling paint and the price goes up more LOL.
A lot of this stuff was possibly hammered together by the cabin owner to "make do" till they could afford something better. Then its delegated to the "bunky" or around the camp fire, but its never tossed.
So leave your table as found for now. Get a proper ID on the wood, look for signs of age, try to determine the finish and if its original (the wooden pegs are interesting too)
Or bring it to the Muskokas and put it up for auction LOL
Get back to me.
Kindest Regards
Eileen