Antique Dining Room Tables

old solid wood table

Although the concept of the dining room as a common space is relatively new, the dining room table itself is not. Just 100 years ago, most homes didn’t come with a dedicated dining room. Dining rooms were typically reserved for wealthier families who had enough space to create one. In contrast, smaller homes for the masses were equipped with a nook, which housed a smaller version of the dining room table.

The antique dining room table remains one of the most sought-after pieces of antique furniture in the United States. Many people desire these tables as a symbol of status, much like they did 100 years ago—although many aren’t even aware of this subconscious motivation. The interesting thing about this mentality is that you don’t have to spend a fortune on an antique dining room table. In fact, most antique dining room tables are less expensive than new oak dining tables. This is because it’s rare to find an antique dining table in mint condition. By now, these tables have lived a full life, and they usually bear a few scars and dings as evidence.

Antique vs. Collectible: Understanding the Differences

In the United Kingdom, an item can’t truly be considered an antique unless it’s at least 100 years old. In other countries, an antique must have survived in usable condition for at least 50 years. Some antique enthusiasts insist that an item must be over 100 years old to qualify as an antique, regardless of the country. However, antiques can also be items that represent a specific era. Anything under 50 years old is generally considered a collectible, while anything over 400 years old is classified as an antiquity. As a result, most antique dealers carry a mix of actual antiques and collectibles, though few deal in true antiquities.

Thus, a dining room table that’s in good condition but only 45 years old won’t carry the same selling price as a new dining room table or one that’s 98 years old with a few scratches. In reality, most people who own an antique dining room table actually have a collectible in very good condition. Even true antiques often require a bit of elbow grease to bring them to mint condition.

Antique dining room tables are typically quite large because they were crafted for the grander, wealthier homes that had dedicated dining rooms. Smaller homes with simple nooks and smaller tables didn’t see much value in their tables and often either burned them for fuel or passed them down through generations until they eventually fell apart. Large dining room tables, on the other hand, were custom-made for wealthy families, designed and created according to their tastes. They were considered symbols of wealth, as having a large dining table meant the family was affluent enough to entertain guests. Between 100 and 200 years ago, this was a significant social event. Entertaining large numbers of people was a luxury reserved for the wealthy, as the cost of extra food was substantial.

Antique dining room tables weren’t initially valued for their intrinsic worth the way they are today. Instead, they were preserved for their heritage and the status they symbolized, representing the wealth of their owners.

The purchase of an antique dining room table is often a game of cat and mouse. The antique hunter must be on the lookout for the right dealer—one who is reputable and knowledgeable, not someone looking to deceive an inexperienced buyer by passing off a 45-year-old table as an authentic antique. The table itself must be right, too. Just because something is an antique doesn’t automatically make it beautiful. There were plenty of wealthy families a century ago with questionable design tastes. For some, it has taken nearly 20 years to find their perfect antique dining table.

With the rise of the internet, the search has become less hands-on. However, many still prefer to touch and feel a dining table before committing to a purchase. The hunt for the right antique dining table can be endless, but for those who are passionate about it, the search is well worth the prize.

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