refinish impact on Hunziger oak table

I have owned a Hunziger table for many years, purchased at a small Florida consignment store ... just because we liked it!  At the time of purchase, we had no idea of its age or history, other then it's simple design, real/solid wood construction, and 'old' look was appealing.  The table top is rectangular, with rounded corners, approx 33"x50".  The support structure is generally 2 legs, and each leg has 3 feet in contact with the floor.  The 2 legs are interconnected and come up under the center of the table before fanning out and attaching to the table 'skirt'.  I'd love to find out anything and everything I can.  The table has a metal stamped plate attached that reads 'Hunziger, Pat. Aug. 5, 90'.  Somewhere in it's past, the table had some kind of clear coat applied to just the table top surface.  The rest of the table appears (to my layman's eyes) to be unaltered by its owners.  Overall, in good shape.  We later paid more attention to the plate, but did not find much info on the early internet, queries to the Brooklyn Museum went unanswered, etc.  So I'm now taking up the task again of attempting to find out what I can about the piece.  I'd be happy to post pictures, if appropriate.  My early investigative work on Hunziger pieces has not uncovered a picture or reference to my particular piece.  E.g., blogspot.com lists a Aug 5 90 patent, but that diagram shows supports on the table edges, so appears to me to be a different table.  Would appreciate any inputs or guidance toward my continued understanding of my table and its value.  Thanks in advance.

Please attach pics to your post reply or you can send them to me to add: [email removed]

We'd love to see it.

As suggested, please see attached photos on my Hunzinger table.  Any input or guidance towards better understanding what I have, impact of added clear coat to top surface, or value is appreciated.

Here is the patent image:
http://hunzinger.blogspot.com/2006/11/patent-433623-aug-5-1890.html
Very similar in style.  I have never seen one like it.  Do you mind if I post it on my blog?
hunzinger.blogspot.com
Thanks,
Emeriol

azhun,

Your table is a Hunzinger form I haven't seen yet so thanks for sharing with us.  I'll let others comment on their position, which may be different from mine, but I don't think the added clear coat will subtract anything from price on this table.  In my opinion, utilitarian tables such as this and the game table, which are more simple in design and lighter finishes don't draw the big numbers that other Hunzinger pieces have recently been getting.

Per the Barry Harwood book, "The conservatism in design that was noted in the 1880s becomes more pronouced in the 1890s.  The new forms, particularly tables, discussed below, are surprisingly unornamented and cumbersome in comparison with Hunzinger's earlier designs.  The simplicity of the furniture of the 1890s, which was often made of oak, may have been Hunzinger's attempt to adapt and interpret the tenets of the Arts and Crafts Movement, which were beginning to influence both progressive designers and commercial manufacturers looking for the next trend.  In addition to the use of oak, the preferred, humble material of the movement, Hunzinger also employed plank construction and refrained from utilizing the lathe to create turned decoration - on which he had so long depended and which had given his furniture its unique character."

As a result, these tables and the game tables tend to draw three-digit values and in cases such as a recent game table may not sell at all or for a few hundred.  Yours is the largest of his tables that I have seen which are usually square with integrated chairs (like the patent on Emeriol's blog) or round like the game tables - one you can see here:

Thanks very much for sharing.

thanks for the replies.

Emeriol:  it is fine with me to post on hunzinger.blogspot.com.

Rare Victorian:  thanks for providing the reference and excerpt - very helpful.

this is a form that is seen occasionally in card table size. Yours may be a dining table?? that is missing the six chairs??using the same patent as the card table.
attached is a photo of the card table.