Serving Table Connoted Class

WHAT IS IT?

This tambour or roll-top fronted English serving table was intended for use in a dining room. It was probably made in the 1850s from walnut burl inlaid with fruitwood. It’s about 40 inches long and 4 feet tall.

WHAT’S ITS HISTORY?

The dining room was one of the main rooms in a Victorian house because it denoted status. Working-class people had to eat in the kitchen, whereas the middle class had a separate room for dining, with furniture such as this.

There are two large drawers on either side for condiments, a marble slab top and a long drawer for silverware. Dark woods were favored for dining room furniture, because that room was to be masculine in appearance. Although women ate in the dining room, they had to leave after dinner while the men remained at the table to smoke, talk and drink.

WHAT’S THE LEGEND?

This table was bequeathed to a San Juan Capistrano resident by her husband’s family. “It probably was bought at auction in New York City over 70 years ago,” says the owner, who asked to not be identified. “I use it for silver and to store odds and ends in. It also holds black Bavarian pottery from the Hotel Presidente in Havana, Cuba, that was given to me by my husband’s stepfather.

“Many people guess that this piece of furniture is a desk because of the roll-top.”

WHY IS IT POPULAR TODAY?

Some Victorian furniture is quite compact and can be used for many purposes. This table is an example of beautiful workmanship and the design in the wood makes it particularly attractive.

WHAT’S IT WORTH TODAY?

“This is a very lovely piece of furniture,” says Norm Wheatcroft of Crofton Antiques in Costa Mesa. “Assuming the 1850s date is correct, it would probably cost $1,900 retail today. Victorians had many types of furniture like sideboards that were used to hold serving pieces and food.”

WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE?

Books on Victorian interior design are the best source. A price list is included in “Victorian Furniture With Prices,” by David Lindquist and Caroline Waren (Krause Publications, 1995, $19.95). On the Internet, the Web site www.victoriana.com offers information on many Victorian pieces.

* To have an item considered for this column, send information, a photograph of it and a phone number to: What’s It Worth?, Home Design, The Times Orange County, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626.