Hey all:
No photos this time, but I think verbiage will do.
To wit: Are there any fairly reliable methods for identifying replacement marble tops on parlor tables?
I just purchased a big ren. rev. parlor table. The top overhangs slightly, is white propertly striated with gray, has chamfered corners to match the skirt, and has a beveled edge. So far, so good, right? The thing that makes me wonder is that the underside of the marble is very clean, with hardly a mark and no acidic staining.
From what little I know about these philistine times, a replacement top would probably be a somewhat clumsy affair, usually a simple rectangular piece, and probably pretty glossy.
If this is a replacement it's a darned good one. If it IS replacement, does that affect the value?
I look forward with pleasure to reading your replies. ;)
Replacement marble table tops?
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Victorian Furniture thread on victorianforum.com · started September 5, 2010 by kevin · 3 posts · discussion in 2010.
Hey all: No photos this time, but I think verbiage will do. To wit: Are there any fairly reliable methods for identifying replacement marble tops on parlor tables? I just purchased a big ren. rev. parlor table. The top overhangs slightly, is white propertly striated with…
Kevin,
That is a tough one...as you correctly noted, usually there are some stains and otherwise visible "age marks" on the underside of the original marble top. Moreover, there are often slight scratches and minute signs of wear on the top, perhaps a minor pin flake chip or two; and maybe a little discoloration or spotting on the top surface. In other words, seldom does an 130-140 year old original marble table top not have any visible signs of wear or age. Having said that, if the replacement piece is a perfect match with the table top profile, that's very good and I would think it reduces the value only slightly provided it is of the same kind of marble (Carrera?) as original tops were. Worse would be a case where the table might have originally had a solid wood (inlaid?) top but was repaired to take a marble top. Just my thoughts without seeing it. If it is a good match, in a 100 years no one will know the difference!
John
That is a tough one...as you correctly noted, usually there are some stains and otherwise visible "age marks" on the underside of the original marble top. Moreover, there are often slight scratches and minute signs of wear on the top, perhaps a minor pin flake chip or two; and maybe a little discoloration or spotting on the top surface. In other words, seldom does an 130-140 year old original marble table top not have any visible signs of wear or age. Having said that, if the replacement piece is a perfect match with the table top profile, that's very good and I would think it reduces the value only slightly provided it is of the same kind of marble (Carrera?) as original tops were. Worse would be a case where the table might have originally had a solid wood (inlaid?) top but was repaired to take a marble top. Just my thoughts without seeing it. If it is a good match, in a 100 years no one will know the difference!
John
Thank you for your thoughtful answer. The marble appears to be correct, although the finish on top has a very, very slight texture to it.
Given the large size of the table top (34" x 22"), an otherwise excellent condition Renaissance Revival parlor table like this might be expected to sell for about $1K or a bit higher here in the midwest. I paid less than that, so it looks like a win/win if you are correct that it should reduce the value only slightly.
Thanks again for your response!!
Any other opinions?
Given the large size of the table top (34" x 22"), an otherwise excellent condition Renaissance Revival parlor table like this might be expected to sell for about $1K or a bit higher here in the midwest. I paid less than that, so it looks like a win/win if you are correct that it should reduce the value only slightly.
Thanks again for your response!!
Any other opinions?