A – is for ANTIQUE FURNITURE
17th Century Table
Some pieces of antique furniture really are getting cheap. A customer in an auction room recently bought this late 17th century oak side table to stand his printer on…and amazingly for only £40.
Wow, that’s not much more than the Ikea equivalent…and unlike a modern piece, the owner of the antique one has the reassurance that his oak table will not lose him any money. Indeed, it may well show him a profit in the future.
B – for BUTLERS’ TRAYS
A Butler's tray
These are substantial trays in mahogany or oak dating back to the Victorian era when one’s staff would use them for serving or clearing from table.
The thing you should be looking for is whether the tray has a stand. Generally these are simple folding wooden affairs but having one is significant to the value of the whole.
A Victorian oak tray on its own such as the one illustrated would sell for around £100 but add a stand, worth on its own about £30 and you have a butlers tray on stand worth around £250 at Auction.