Jacobean Revival Hexagonal Occasional Table (Also known as a barley-twist lamp table or accent table)
Table (Occasional/Accent) · Jacobean Revival / Early 20th Century Revival (c. 1920s-1930s) · Likely a North American manufacturer such as those found in Grand Rapids, MI or High Point, NC (e.g., Imperial Furniture Co. or Mersman).
Type
Table (Occasional/Accent)
Style Period
Jacobean Revival / Early 20th Century Revival (c. 1920s-1930s)
Material
Primarily Walnut or Mahogany veneers on the top surface with solid Beech or Birch secondary wood for the legs and stretchers.
Age Estimate
Circa 1920–1935
Dimensions
Height: 28-30 inches; Width: 24-26 inches; Depth: 24-26 inches. This is standard dining-chair height for an accent table.
Origin
United States or England; characteristic of the mass-market residential furniture produced for middle-class homes in the interwar period.
Designer/Maker
Likely a North American manufacturer such as those found in Grand Rapids, MI or High Point, NC (e.g., Imperial Furniture Co. or Mersman).
Value Estimate
$75 - $175 (USD). Value is primarily decorative; the surface damage significantly impacts its value toward the lower end of the range.
Description
An elegant hexagonal occasional table blending 17th-century English motifs with 20th-century scale. The piece stands on six dramatic barley-twist legs connected by a graceful curved X-stretcher. The top features a decorative border following the hexagonal shape, while the apron is adorned with delicate carved shell motifs.
Key Features
Hexagonal top, barley-twist legs, scalloped apron with shells, curved X-stretcher with central carved finial.
Color & Finish
Medium-to-dark nut brown stain with a semi-gloss lacquer finish. Features dark shaded edges (toning) and a decorative scrolled inlay or stencil pattern on the surface.
Construction Method
Factory-manufactured production utilizing machine turning for the legs and industrial glue-presses for the veneered top and edge banding.
Joinery & Craftsmanship
Machine-cut mortise and tenon joints for the stretchers and leg blocks. The top likely utilizes a simple screw-plate or glue block attachment common in assembly-line furniture.
Wood Grain & Species
The top shows a flat-cut burl or swirl walnut veneer; the legs are a tighter-grained hardwood stained to match the walnut top.
Surface Treatment
Features decorative scalloped aprons with shell-carved appliqués, barley-twist (solomonic) turned legs, and a X-form stretcher with a central finial.
Upholstery Details
N/A - This piece is solid wood construction without upholstery.
Hardware & Fittings
None visible; construction relies on wood screws and dowels. No drawer pulls or casters are present.
Origin & Provenance
United States or England; characteristic of the mass-market residential furniture produced for middle-class homes in the interwar period.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. Significant surface wear to the top finish including water rings, heat ghosts, and scratches. Structural joints appear intact but finish restoration is needed.
Interesting Facts
The 'Barley Twist' leg seen here was originally inspired by the Solomonic columns of St. Peter's Basilica and became a staple of English furniture during the reign of Charles II.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'Revival' era of the 1920s where homeowners sought to bring historical dignity into smaller, suburban homes through accessible, mass-produced period-style pieces.
Similar Pieces
Often confused with genuine 17th-century gate-leg tables; distinguish this piece by its uniform machine-turned legs and the use of plywood or thin veneers on the top.
Care & Maintenance
Avoid silicone-based polishes. Use a high-quality paste wax to restore luster. Keep away from direct sunlight to prevent further blanching of the lacquer finish.
Value Estimate
$75 - $175 (USD). Value is primarily decorative; the surface damage significantly impacts its value toward the lower end of the range.
Sustainability Notes
This is a vintage piece representing supreme durability; compared to modern flat-pack furniture, this item is easily refinishable and has already survived nearly a century.