social

Information About 2-Tier Table?

A two-tier round wooden side table.Good day, I would be very interested to know about this 2-tier antique end round table. What was it made for and how old it is? Would you also be able to identify the kind of wood whether it is mahogany or walnut ? And does it worth any value these days? I thank you in advance for your time to answer my questions.

Advertisement

A two-tier round wooden table.
 
A two-tier round wooden table.
 
Information About 2-Tier Table?
 

Add your voice! Click below to answer. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!


Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
July 27, 20210 found this helpful
Best Answer

It seems this style table has been popular for a very long time and probably most furniture makers - known and unknown - made these tables. When doing research you will find that most pieces listed for sale will not have a 'brand name'.
This style table is called a dumbwaiter/dumb waiter as it started it's use in Victorian days as a table that was used in the home to generally hold tea cakes and such to be served in any room.

Advertisement


The original tables could have shelves that turned (either 2 or 3 tier) but later tables had stationary shelves. Some had wheels also. The style was so popular it has been brought into use as a side table, parlor table, accent table, etc but the actual style is still 'dumbwaiter'.
I have seen some sellers describe this as a 'Etagerie' but that is incorrect.

You will find these listed for sale and some sold for high and low prices so it really is difficult to quote a value.
Asking prices cannot be used to indicate value as only a sold item shows what someone was willing to pay.
Here are a few links to similar sold items (I did not find a sold Imperial brand):
Similar:
Sold for $20 - 7/2021
www.liveauctioneers.com/.../107846564_antique-english-two-tier...

This one actually sold for $40:
www.ebay.com/.../184914460390?hash=item2b0dc2bee6...

Advertisement


www.ebay.com/.../184446652648?hash=item2af1e090e8...

Since it is a nice vintage table you could probably find out more reliable information if you post pictures and questions on several furniture forums:
www.reddit.com/.../
www.antiquers.com/.../
www.treasurenet.com/.../
www.gorringes.co.uk/valuations

Interesting information and pictures:
troutunderground.com/.../
www.heraldnet.com/.../

Reply Was this helpful? Yes

Silver Answer Medal for All Time! 440 Answers
July 28, 20210 found this helpful
Best Answer

Imperial tables made between 1910 and 1917 were marked with an oval logo, but later pieces had a shield-shaped logo. You table has shield-shaped logo. The crown and the lettering vary only slightly by date. On the shield is written "Imperial, Grand Rapids, Mich.". This label was used in 1939-1952 (the source is Grand Rapids Furniture: The Story of America's Furniture City by Christian G. Carron, published by the Grand Rapids Public Museum. 1998. www.furniturecityhistory.org/.../4745).

Advertisement


So, your table was made in period 1939-1952.

Mahogany furniture dating from 1936 to the mid-1950's often carries a Mahogany Association label, like here www.ebay.com/.../203080857564, www.ebay.com/.../174147877998. The Mahogany Association, Inc. placed these labels on the furniture and is certifying that it is genuine mahogany and not a dyed wood of lesser quality. The association basically issued decals to manufacturers that could certify that their products were made of real mahogany. The number 123 is the member number of the Imperial Furniture Co of Grand Rapids.
Your table does not have such a label. I don't think your table is made of Mahogany.

These tables were called "Dumb waiter". An antique dumb waiter is basically a side serving table also known as a buffet which would be in a dining room for storing the food that is about to be served.

Advertisement

Dumb waiters were often used in pairs in large houses from the mid-18th century. When the ladies retired after dinner, the dumb waiters were then placed at the end of the table by the footmen. This was then laden with alcoholic drink so the gentlemen could help themselves without too much exertion. Because the staff had retired for the evening, the conversation could open up more, hence the name dumb waiter.
Most Dumb waiters were split up over the years, so today it is very difficult to find a pair. Dumb waiters were used from the mid 1700's through to the 1930's. They come in different styles and usually have several tiers for storage. Now they are mainly used for storing towels or even as use as a bookcase or office piece.

I found Trade Catalog by Imperial Furniture Company "Imperial Tables": www.grpmcollections.org/.../170077. A table like yours in the catalog is called Trier Table: www.grpmcollections.org/.../81478_ca_object_representations_media_41514_large...

Advertisement

The price of your Trier Table is about $150-$200 www.ebay.com/.../203080857564, www.ebay.com/.../143787507450.

Reply Was this helpful? Yes

Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
July 27, 20210 found this helpful

This table is mahogany. www.ebay.com/.../143787507450

I would guess the top tier is for a lamp and the bottom for books or other items.

Reply Was this helpful? Yes

Add your voice! Click below to answer. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!

In This Page
Categories
Consumer Advice Collectibles Furniture Vintage FurnitureJuly 26, 2021
Pages
More
💘
Valentine's Ideas!
🍀
St. Patrick's Ideas!
🎂
Birthday Ideas!
Facebook
Pinterest
YouTube
Instagram
Contests!
Newsletters
Ask a Question
Share a Post
Categories
Better LivingBudget & FinanceBusiness and LegalComputersConsumer AdviceCoronavirusCraftsEducationEntertainmentFood and RecipesHealth & BeautyHolidays and PartiesHome and GardenMake Your OwnOrganizingParentingPetsPhotosTravel and RecreationWeddings
Published by ThriftyFun.
Desktop Page | View Mobile
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Contact Us
Generated 2023-01-23 12:39:59 in 3 secs. ⛅️️
© 1997-2023 by Cumuli, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
https://www.thriftyfun.com/Information-About-2-Tier-Table.html