In the afternoon, I decided to have a go at the occasional brass-topped table that I rescued from my brother's cottage. I should have taken some "before" pictures but all I have to show you is two "after" images.
I spent an hour and a half working on the table - washing it, polishing it, buffing it and I even rinsed it in the light rain falling outside. I am pretty pleased with the end result and hope that my son Ian and his girlfriend Sarah will want it in their new home. I won't be forcing them.
The intricate brass top of the table came from Old Delhi in India and it must have been made some time in 1945 as the curtain was coming down on World War II.
My parents were married on December 8th in the Anglican church in New Delhi and they would start their voyage home at the end of that month. I imagine them seeking out souvenirs that they could bring home.
Down some dark alleyway in Old Delhi they would have bartered for the best price as brass-workers skilfully tapped away at their designs with little hammers. Mum was twenty four and Dad was thirty one. Their married life and Peace in Europe lay ahead of them. Their war in India had been a generally wonderful, happy experience but it was time to go home. Back to reality.
I guess that my step-grandfather Jock Morris made the wooden base. He was good with wood and at solving practical conundrums. Mum and Dad brought a second brass tabletop home which was already in our house and which I blogged about here.
That is a gorgeous table. I hope your son and his honey like it. If not, I would bid on it. Just saying:)
ReplyDeleteThat table is just stunning! What a fabulous heirloom
ReplyDeleteThis might save you a bit of cash. Something I learned when my husband passed. Something you can present the death certificate to whoever and ask them to make their own certified copy and hand the original back to you. I found this worked especially at the banks and other financial type places as well as the auto registration office.
ReplyDeleteBoth table tops are true works of art. The artists would be happy to know they survived and liked.
ReplyDeleteThey both are very sweet little tables. Reminders of a happy time in your parents life.
ReplyDeleteThe tables are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful table. Ian would be mad not to have it.
ReplyDeleteIt is a piece of art and well worth being kept all those years, and now being restored to its former glory. I am sure Ian and Sarah will love it!
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Ian, I have spotted Bosh! products on the shelf at Sainsbury‘s. We‘re here all week so I might try something, or maybe buy to take home.
You could apply a clear lacquer to the brass surface it would not need polishing. A very nice table indeed.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous piece of furniture.
ReplyDeleteWe inherited a very similar table from my in-laws when MIL decided she preferred G-Plan modern to beautiful handcrafted Indian. The inlaid brass work featured Cranes and other exotic (presumably Indian) creatures and flowers. It also had the original very rickety folding wooden base, which for some reason was impossible to stabilise. The table moved here to Spain with us but has since returned home to Scotland and on to the next generation.
ReplyDeleteWhen we inherited the table, it had been mouldering in a damp corner of the in-law's garage and was in a terrible condition. Like you, I worked hard to restore it to something of its former glory, but sadly some of the surface brass work had been damaged.
The table came originally from India and was a gift to MIL from her brother who was the radio officer on a submarine during WWII.
I do hope that Ian and Sarah appreciate the gift - it's something unusual, and base is a most elegant addition.
Beautiful tables and an interesting story to go with them. Hopefully all your kids know those stories and can pass them on along with the tables.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful table with such a lovely family story! A wonderful gift for your son.
ReplyDeleteThat's a beautiful table. Given its significance to your family I'm sure Ian will want it! (And if not Ian maybe Frances?)
ReplyDeleteYour table is gorgeous and I'm sure they'll love the fact it's a heirloom piece. I still gaze fondly at my grandmother's table now residing proudly in my sitting room. I have happy memories of being asked to crawl underneath and polish its carved legs with furniture polish when I was young. What four year old doesn't love having control of a spray can?
ReplyDeleteThat's a right bonny table. I'd think myself very lucky if it were mine.
ReplyDeleteBoth tables are lovely, intricate craftmanship, where did our workmanship go? Ikea has a lot to answer for!
ReplyDelete