Posted 7 years ago
dustycorner
(2 items)
Given by a friend the table is believed to have been brought from Africa to the UK by a missionary many years back. It consists of three pieces cut and carved from the solid. It is made of a very heavy almost black timber that is cracked with age. There are several interesting features which can be seen if you zoom in to to the photo's.
1. The carving is crude and shallow.
2. On the top section there are three fish surrounded by a village scene of a man fishing, tribes men/women working with tools and implements, a village hut trees and pots.
3. The bottom section shows four fish swimming head to tail.
4. The centre column is carved from a single piece of timber and is crudley doweled into top and bottom.
Size. Approx
Top -- 35cm dia.
Bottom -- 20cm dia.
Height -- 40cm.
Area of origin unknown.
Age unknown
Very nice-I like the twisted base!
I think if this were to be cleaned up and polished you would find it to be African Rosewood, also called Bubinga and Gabon Rosewood. When first turned it has quite a different look. Much brighter. It darkens with age. Possible it is African Paduka which is easier to turn or carve and ages to a similar color. The Paduka is normally not as close grained as what you show if my old eyes are seeing right.