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Journal of Antiques and Collectibles and Asheford Institute of Antiques have teamed up to present:

Asheford Institute of Antiques
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APPRAISERS CORNER A Commitment to Excellence Since 1966

Certified Appraisal Training

Dear Appraiser – use and was considered a real space saver. Even
I was shopping at a thrift store when this woman 2-tier tables were stored out of the way when
came in with a bunch of dusty old furniture to drop not in use, as they were generally lightweight and
off. The person running the shop was not sure they moveable, and many had casters.
could take it all when I spied this piece. I was told I Your table appears to have a one-board top and
could make my own “deal” for this, and I asked her larger lower shelf made from one board. The
what she wanted for this table. She said $25 and I turned pedestal is quite lovely, extending up
almost could not get my money out fast enough. through both levels. Tripod (3) legs ending in scroll
I took it home and used some of Howard’s feet add to the aesthetics of the piece, as do the
Products “Restore-a-Finish” and love the result. It beautiful carved shell “knees.” It is hard to guess the
came out nice, but now I am wondering what it is age of a piece without examining it in
really worth and want some information about this person, but I would guess that it is from the 1930s-
type of table. Can you help me? 1940s. I have seen these tables offered
– Nelson online and at auction for anywhere from
$75 to upwards of $500. Particularly fine
Dear Nelson – Philadelphia pieces can fetch as much as
What a lucky find, and for only $25. $10,000. According to Ann E. Berman in a
Take me next time you go antiquing! March 2008 article in Traditional Home
The piecrust table has been a mainstay magazine, the first piece of furniture to sell
of fashionable homes for over 250 years! for over $1 million at auction was a piecrust
The story of the piecrust table began in table. In October of that year, a piecrust
the early 1700s in London when folks table from Philadelphia, owned by the
would gather around the tea table for same family for over 250 years, sold at
conversation and gossip. Tea time in Christie’s for over $6 million!
England in the 1700s was similar to our cocktail party today. A 2-tiered These utilitarian pieces can be found in almost every middle-class
table such as yours is also referred to as a “dumbwaiter.” I have heard it American home today. They are used most often as sofa end tables or
said that the purpose of the table was to discourage eavesdropping by the beside a chair. Not used quite so much for tea anymore, they often
servants! The 2-tiered table could accommodate a tea service on one level effectively display a collection of small treasures of the owner.
and sweets, cheeses or sandwiches on the other level, thus negating the Since these are still factory produced today and there are literally
need of a servant standing nearby and overhearing salacious gossip. thousands of them, only really fine Philadelphia pieces have large price
Tea was generally served from a silver tray, many of which had tags. I would certainly expect to pay more than $25, however! I think
scalloped edges. Cutting edge furniture designers such as Chippendale in a retail shop, your lovely piecrust table would be offered at between
began to take notice of these silver trays and their decorations and soon $250-$350.
the scalloped edges began appearing on the tables themselves. The name Thanks for submitting your find and happy antiquing! You obviously
derives from the fact that the edges resemble the crimped edge of a pie. have a knack!
The design usually featured a one board top (in both single tables and Best, Walker Haigh
2-tiered tables), mainly made of mahogany, supported by a central
pedestal and tripod feet. Tables with only one shelf often had a mecha- Walker Haigh is an Honors Graduate and Certified Appraiser from
the Asheford Institute of Antiques, who holds degrees in both History
nism called a “bird cage” which allowed the top to be tilted to a vertical and Library Sciences from the University of North Carolina. She has
position. This enabled the table to be stored against the wall when not in been in the antiques business for over 25 years, and is co-owner of
Parker & Haigh Estate Sales and Liquidations.
The Journal of Antiques & Collectibles and Asheford Institute of Antiques have
teamed up to provide our readers with professional appraisers to help you learn
more about and value your finds. Do you have questions about something you A Would You Like To Be An Antique
have acquired? We welcome your questions and photos. Send your information Appraiser or Dealer?
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Collectibles, PO Box 950, Sturbridge, MA 01566 attn: Appraisers Corner. To Since 1966, The Asheford Institute of
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www.asheford.com or contact the Admissions Office toll free at 877-444-4508. Antiques has been providing a Profit and
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44 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles