Tilt top dining table

Item Overview

• Type: Tilt-top round dining table
• Dimensions: 36" diameter x ~26" height
• Weight: ~40 lbs
• Material: Mahogany
• Condition: Fair (surface wear, wood dryness, possible structural repairs needed)
• Provenance: Received from an older family; exact origin unknown
• Distinguishing Features: Handcrafted nuts and pivot screws, pedestal base with heavily carved legs, tilt-top mechanism with brass fittings

Description & Construction

This is a Victorian-era or possibly late Regency-style tilt-top dining table, constructed from solid mahogany with a carved pedestal and three cabriole legs ending in stylized scroll or animal paw feet.

The tilt-top design—allowing the tabletop to pivot upright for storage—is consistent with furniture made in the mid-19th century (circa 1840–1870). The pivot screws and nuts appear handmade, which also suggests pre-industrial mass-production methods. The underside shows mortise-and-tenon joinery and hand-planed surfaces, further indicating early craftsmanship rather than modern reproduction.

The table's 36" size suggests it was intended for intimate dining, tea service, or as a center parlor table.

Style & Attribution

The carved legs have acanthus leaf detailing—a hallmark of both Victorian and late Regency designs—but the proportions lean toward American-made parlor tables from the mid-19th century. While British tilt-tops are common from earlier decades, this example's hardware and design lean more toward American East Coast manufacture(Philadelphia, Boston, or New York furniture makers) rather than continental European.

The lack of a maker's label or branded stamp is common for this period, as many mid-tier cabinetmakers sold pieces locally without permanent marks.

Condition Assessment

• Top Surface: Significant wear, staining, and finish loss. No major splits visible from photos, but warping may be present.
• Pedestal & Legs: Structurally intact, but carving shows wear and chipping.
• Hardware: Appears original; some oxidation and patina on brass fittings.
• Tilt Mechanism: Still functional, though wood around the pivot area shows wear.

Estimated Age

Based on construction techniques, tilt mechanism design, and overall style: circa 1840–1870 (mid-19th century).

Market Value Estimate (Fair Condition)

Values vary based on condition, provenance, and buyer demand:

• Retail/Dealer Price: $350–$600
• Auction Price: $150–$300
• Fully Restored Value: $750–$1,200 (restoration could significantly improve appeal)

The current condition (fair) reduces market value, but restoration could make it much more desirable for collectors or as a statement antique table.

Authentication & Recommendations

Given the table’s hand craftsmanship and age indicators, it is likely an authentic mid-19th-century American or British tilt-top mahogany table. However, without definitive maker marks, exact attribution is challenging.

I recommend:

1. Professional Appraisal – An antique furniture appraiser could confirm origin and narrow the manufacturing period.
2. Restoration Evaluation – A furniture conservator can assess if refinishing or partial restoration would increase value without compromising originality.
3. Preservation – Keep in a climate-controlled environment to prevent further wood shrinkage or cracking.