rosewood bench

1. Inlaid Side Tables (Pair)

Category: Decorative Furniture
Style: Likely Italian or French Provincial Revival (mid-20th century)
Medium: Mixed hardwood veneers with marquetry/inlay top designs
Condition: Good
Not For Sale

Description and Appraisal:

These side tables are finely crafted with marquetry inlays—one with a kidney-shaped top and another with a floral inlaid design on a scalloped round top. The intricate inlay work and graceful cabriole legs with pierced apron carvings suggest Italian or French influences, typical of mid-20th century reproductions emulating 18th/19th-century furniture styles.

The craftsmanship appears to be of quality, with machine-assisted carving and veneer application. These would have been sold as decorative accent pieces, often imported from Italy or France between the 1940s–1970s.

Current Value Estimate (Pair):

• Retail (antique shops): $300–$500
• Private resale/marketplace: $150–$300
• Auction value (if paired and marketed well): $200–$400

These are decorative and desirable for vintage décor lovers but not considered rare or museum-level antiques.

2. Brazilian Rosewood Deacon’s Bench

Category: American Furniture
Style: Empire Revival or Victorian Revival, c. late 19th to early 20th century
Medium: Solid Brazilian Rosewood (Dalbergia nigra)
Dimensions: 52" W x 42" H x 22.5" D
Condition: Excellent
Weight: Extremely heavy (consistent with solid rosewood)
Not For Sale

Description and Appraisal:

This is a striking and finely made storage bench (also known as a settle or deacon’s bench) with flowing Empire-style scrolled arms and richly figured rosewood grain—possibly flame or feathered veneer on solid rosewood frame. The bench seat lifts to reveal internal storage, a feature common in utilitarian church, entryway, or hall furniture from the 1800s.

Brazilian rosewood (Dalbergia nigra) is now a protected species under CITES regulations, making pieces made from it increasingly rare and valuable. The vivid grain pattern and quality finish indicate high craftsmanship. It may have been produced in the U.S. during the mid-to-late 19th century or early 20th century before the ban on rosewood exports.

Authentication Notes:

• The construction and proportions appear consistent with 1880–1920 craftsmanship.
• The lack of visible screws/nails on the seat joinery and overall design support authenticity.
• The flame-figured pattern is typical of veneered rosewood, but some sections could be solid.

Current Value Estimate:

• Retail (antique dealer or gallery): $1,200–$2,000
• Private resale: $800–$1,500
• Auction (well-catalogued): $1,000–$1,800

The high value stems from the rarity of Brazilian rosewood, fine condition, and visual appeal.

Recommendation:

For both the inlaid tables and rosewood bench, a professional antique furniture appraiser can confirm construction methods, joinery, and material authenticity. This is especially advisable for the bench due to the value and protected material involved. Look for a certified member of the International Society of Appraisers (ISA) or Appraisers Association of America (AAA)