Low coffee table with mother of pearl inlay

[dixo2009]

It has been in our family for many years but unfortunately no one can make room for it anymore! I need help to find out something about the table as I don't really know where to start.

Is there anyone here that has seen one of these before and can give me some information please?

[cq_tech · Accepted solution]

While I'm not at all familiar with your table Dixo, I do have to ask if it's genuinely Chinese, and do you have a rough idea as to its approximate age? It's a truly magnificent looking piece and my immediate reaction is that it is worth a considerable amount of money.

If it was mine, I think I'd be having it professionally valued in anticipation of having it sent to a fine arts auction, as I honestly don't believe you'd realise anything near its true worth if you were to put it up for auction or sale on eBay.

[dixo2009]

Thank you cq_tech, it is a lovely piece and worthy of displaying properly.

A few more close up shots;

 

It was gifted to my stepfather by a Chinese businessman in the 70's - (maybe early 80's).

My stepfather was a bank manager and the chinese held him in very high regard.

I don't know if it was brand new or not at the time it was gifted.

I was young and wild and getting into other things back then so never paid any attention to that sort of stuff! 

Anyway, do I take it to a registered second hand dealer to begin with maybe?

[siddieswans]

I would also suggest that eBay is not the place for this. It needs to be sold at a real life bricks and mortar auction house where buyers can inspect. I don't know where you live but most auctioneers have a reasonable knowledge of Oriental antiques these days - it is where they make most of their money! If you live a long way away from reputable auction houses, you could email pictures - giving what provenance you know. Even if it is only 40-50 years old, if will have a decorator value, but these days, it is always better to make sure with Oriental antiques.

[cq_tech]

Thanks Dixo for putting up the additional images as the mother of pearl inlay work is truly exquisite and although it was gifted to your stepfather in the 70s or 80s, I suspect it may be considerably older than that.

Also, while I'm certainly no expert on oriental antiques, it's quite possible that the images depicted are of 19th century Japanese rather than Chinese women, if the clothing and hairstyles are anything to go by.

As siddieswans says, if it's not convenient to have somebody come and give a valuation of your piece, if you can take a comprehensive portfolio of photographs and email it to them, most reputable auction houses will be able to give you a pretty good idea of where and when it was made, and its approximate value in today's market.

I for one would be extremely interested in finding out as it's a truly magnificent piece and because I've not seen anything quite like it before, I'd love to know its origin, not to mention its current market value.

[siddieswans]

I should think you could take it to an auction room yourself - it is not a big piece. Unless of course you live a LONG way from any auction room. Then take some photos and email them. Believe me, auctioneers these days LOVE to see vintage Oriental pieces - there is always the chance the next one could be a good one. If you live in or close to Sydney I can suggest a couple of auctioneers who see lots of Oriental pieces.

[dixo2009]

My husband and I are able to take the table to someone suitable siddieswans and cq_tech.

We live on the northside of Brisbane so now it's a matter of finding where to take it...

cq_tech, I'm happy to let you know the outcome. 

[dixo2009]

cq_tech and siddieswans,

I forgot to say 'thank you' for your posts. ♥

[cq_tech]

Unlike Sydney, there aren't a lot of auction houses in Brisbane which specialise in antiques such as yours, but as you live on the northside, here are a couple who could be worth contacting for a valuation.

AAAC - Brisbane

Website: http://www.aaac.com.au/
Address: 24 Hudson Road , Albion, Qld 4010, Au

Albion Antique Auction Centre - Specialist and General Collectible Auctions.

Antique & Fine Art Auctions

Website: http://antiquefineartauctions.com/
Address: 29 Logan Road, Woolloongabba, Brisbane Queensland

All types of antiques, fine art and collectibles

Pfeffers Auctions

Website: http://pfeffersauctions.com.au/
Address: Level 1, Star House, 26 Burnett Lane Brisbane

Specialising in quality antique and estate jewellery also fine art and collector items.

There's nothing on the southside where I live except car and government auctions so as you can see Brisbane isn't exactly filled with a plethora of auction houses. Sydney on the other hand has more than you can count, but at this stage I'd be inclined to get a couple of local opinions, and depending upon what they have to say, perhaps even consider taking it to Sydney for auction, where they're far more specialised and you'd stand a good chance of getting a much better price for your piece than you would up here.

I also understand that a lot of antique Chinese items are being bought by specialist Chinese buyers who travel the world looking for unique Chinese works of art for repatriation to China and the prices they're paying are absolutely unbelievable. There are also a lot of Chinese buying from local auctions via the internet and they too are paying unheard of prices for quality items which these people now want back in China. Who knows, it's not beyond the realm of possibility that you've been sitting on a veritable gold-mine and didn't realise it. I wish you the very best of luck.

[dixo2009]

Wow cq_tech... that info's fantastic! You're wonderful, thank you.

I'll call the Albion auction house you mentioned on Monday to find out if they wish to see the table, or at least point me in the right direction. 

Thanks cq_tech but in this case, the only way I'll be relying on 'luck' is as an acronym; Labour Under Correct Knowledge.