Some of the most popular furniture pieces have always been formal antique dining tables. Just about everyone needs a dining table at one time or another.
In this post I will be focusing on formal antique dining tables.
The most costly are those dating from approximately the 1760′s through to the early 1800′s.. They range in length from two to four pedestals and are usually rectangular in shape. The pedestals act as supports for additional leaves and also control how many leaves can be added to extend the table.
The more pedestals a table has, the longer it’s length and thus, the more desirable the table is. An example would be an antique double pedestal table from the 1790′s…the table would have one fixed leaf on each top of pedestal and, with the support of stretchers and clips or clamps, could take an additional leaf. The maximum length of a table like this would be approximately eight or so feet in length.
Another important factor in making an antique dining table from this period very desirable and expensive would be the quality of the wood that was used, as well as the table’s utility. Additional pedestals can extend the length up to as much as twenty feet. We usually see extending tables that are made of mahogany, a durable, strong and very attractive wood .
All periods of antique furniture have different characteristics. The earlier antique Georgian and Victorian dining tables had pull-out mechanisms…a relatively simple construction that extends the table and allows additional leaves to be inserted by pulling the ends open.
Later Victorian antique dining tables were constructed with wind out mechanisms, allowing the tables to be opened by a winding handle. Many of the antique dining tables from those periods still exist today, are of superb quality and many still have their original leaves.
Buying an antique dining table can be a bit complex, as quality and costs for antique dining tables vary greatly. The most important elements to consider in pricing are: originality, length, width, period, wood quality and color.
As a general rule the earlier the antique dining table the higher the quality of the wood that was used. Tables that still have all their original leaves are rare and much more valuable, than those without any leaves or with replacement leaves.
The width of the table is important…where people are sitting opposite each other, there should be adequate room in the centre of the table. Look for tables 48 inches or more in depth. An antique dining table that is 42 inches deep would be worth less than half that of an identical table that is 48 inches deep. The length is also extremely important, with tables that sit 10 or more people very desirable.
Here’s an estimated price guide:
Georgian pedestal tables – $15,000 – $200,000, could be even more, depending on the number of pedestals and leaves and the originality of table. Georgian pull-out tables – $10,000-$100,000 again, depending on length and condition. Victorian pull-out and wind out tables – $6000-$40,000 once again, depending on length and condition.
With all the estimated prices given above, please note that exceptional wood quality, fine detailing, or provenance can make any antique dining table worth even more.
Antique dining tables is an important topic, and one I will address again in greater detail in later posts, but for now, an overview of the subject may provide some guidance to a prospective purchaser.
Visit my website if you’d like to buy an antique dining table; there are many to choose from…
