Banquet table

[the_atom]

Hi. I've come into possession of an old banquet table.
I can't keep it because I have no room to use it (it's 3.4 long) but I'm wondering whether it has any value or is worth restoring.

Photos here:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&l=71a5ad6477

I'd love your thoughts on:
- what timber it might be. (The top is only 2 pieces)
- how old it might be. (Does the joinery give any clues?)
- whether it's worth anything. Should I sell as is, or restore first? or should I just give it away / take it to the tip?

Thanks!
Ray

[burraboy]

Looks like a good old Deal or Kauri Pine table. Hardly a banquet table, something that big and plain was probably in use in some institution or school, mid to late 1800's? I'd give you 2 bob for it.

[cava]

As advised, it looks like a school/utility table to me.

I would restore it, but when time and effort was factored in, I am not sure if it would be economic vs buying one already restored. Just my 2c worth.

[the_atom]

Sounds like you are both right on. My wife collected it from the University of Newcastle boat club when they were demolishing the old building.
So was probably a university board room table I guess.
Burraboy, you wrote Deal - is that a timber or a typo? I've not heard of it.

[tea lady]

Sounds like you are both right on. My wife collected it from the University of Newcastle boat club when they were demolishing the old building.
So was probably a university board room table I guess.
Burraboy, you wrote Deal - is that a timber or a typo? I've not heard of it.

I have heard pine referred to as "deal".

I think a big table made out of anything is pretty good.

[Thumbthumper]

Pine tables like this are popular at the moment.

They are pretty easy to restore and worth a few hundred dollars.

I wish I picked up all the ones I saw 20 odd years ago. Could've been a good retirement fund

Strip it, polish it and sell it if you don't want it.

[burraboy]

Deal - is that a timber or a typo? I've not heard of it.

From my experience, the term Deal is used by dealers to describe a pine construction. It is a pretty inclusive term because sometimes the particular pine can be hard to pick. Here in Australia, Kauri Pine was used pretty extensively for furniture, particularly tables, and has picked up the name.

[Horsecroft88]

I can't say as I have heard of the term "deal pine" but regardless of that, a few things for consideration. First off do not, I repeat please do not take the table to the tip. That would be totally wrong. The table is an antique and should be respected for this. It is a superb example of a long table (regardless of its previous use). It definitely needs to be sympathetically restored. That means stripping the paint back and carefully re-shellacing and bees wax polishing it. It deserves this treatment. It is a excellent survivor complete with even its original castors.

The timbers used in the construction of this table be it kauri, cedar, blackwood or whatever will respond beautifully. There was only this weekend such a similar table which had been superbly restored, similar to yours with over 11 bids, with the price reaching around close to $500 !! In an antique shop such a table probably would get close to double this. Long antique tables are seriously hard to find.

So, if you can't or are not interested in restoring it, sell it to someone who will. As it is I wouldn't sell it for anything less than $300. Trusting that it is structurally sound.