Antique heavy iron bed headboard and footboard

Item Report – Antique Tilt-Top Dining Table

Description:

• Type: Tilt-top dining table
• Shape: Round (approx. 36” diameter)
• Wood: Mahogany (appears to be solid, not veneered)
• Construction: Hand-cut joinery with evidence of hand-forged nuts and pivot screws
• Base: Single pedestal with four carved legs ending in stylized scroll/animal-foot form
• Top: Composed of three larger panels and one smaller panel; tilting mechanism with brass hardware and original locking catch
• Condition: Fair – surface wear, scratches, discoloration, and some structural reinforcement/repairs underneath
• Weight: ~40 lbs
• Markings: No maker’s mark found; faint chalk-like inscriptions (likely workshop assembly markings) but illegible

Stylistic & Historical Notes:

• The pedestal form, tilt-top mechanism, and carved legs are consistent with mid-to-late 19th century Victorian furniture, specifically in the Rococo Revival and Late Empire transitional styles.
• The hand-forged hardware and pivot system suggest pre-1890 construction (before machine-made screws became universal).
• The scroll-foot with leaf carving was common in American and British tilt-top dining and parlor tables from roughly 1850–1880.
• The size (36") indicates this was likely intended for a smaller dining space, breakfast room, or as a multipurpose parlor table.

Origin Analysis:
Without a maker’s label, the exact manufacturer is difficult to determine. Based on construction methods and design details:

• Probable Origin: United States, possibly Northeast or Midwest (Philadelphia, Boston, or Cincinnati workshops produced many similar tilt-top tables in the mid-19th century).
• Alternative Possibility: British manufacture, imported to the U.S. — particularly if the mahogany is imported Honduras or Cuban mahogany, which was a favored material in English workshops.

Condition Impact:

• The table shows significant surface wear and some structural reinforcement added later (extra wood blocks and screws under the top).
• Original hardware appears mostly intact but is tarnished.
• Finish is worn and uneven, with water marks and fading.

Restoration (professional refinishing and minor repair) could enhance value, but for some collectors, the original patina is desirable.

Value Estimate (as-is):

• U.S. Auction Value: $150 – $300
• Retail Antique Shop Value: $300 – $500 (due to desirability of tilt-top mahogany tables)
• Restored Value: $600 – $900, depending on quality of restoration and market demand.

Authentication & Further Steps:

• To fully authenticate, a professional antique furniture appraiser or conservator should examine:
  • Wood type (confirm mahogany species)
  • Tool marks and joinery
  • Hardware style and metal composition
  • Any hidden maker’s marks under hinges or pedestal base
• If a hidden label or stamp is found, it could attribute the piece to a specific workshop and raise value.

Summary:
This is an authentic mid-to-late 19th century Victorian tilt-top mahogany dining table with hand-crafted elements, likely American or British in origin. Its style, hardware, and construction all point to a circa 1850–1880 production date. While its current condition limits immediate value, it remains a desirable antique for collectors or those seeking period furnishings, and professional restoration could significantly increase both visual appeal and market price.