I picked this end table up while I was buying another unrelated piece. I hadn't seen one before but saw the Brown Saltman label and noticed some of the details and figured it was a worthwhile purchase. When I got home and began to research the piece I quickly became disappointed. Although I could find very little information on it, what I discovered was my piece was missing the coolest part. The piece I had had very uninteresting brass pendant pulls on the drawers. The few pictures I could find of the piece showed that it came with some very cool spade shaped pulls. I knew that for a piece of furniture so rare I could hardly find pictures it would be even less likely I could find the hardware for it. I scoured ebay and etsy looking for something even similar to no avail. I began digging through hardware suppliers hoping to find something that would give it the same cool feel as the originals, but nothing. I put it aside in hopes that someday something would come up. A few months later, I had just finished helping my buddy MidcenturyMike source some pulls for some pieces he had. I jokingly sent him picks of the pulls I was looking for and said if you ever see these.... Literaly a day later, an ad popped up on craigslist from one of the local vintage furniture dealers of the same end table. But this one had been changed. I think the nice little legs and base had broken off and someone made a clunky pedestal base for it. It had also been stained dark brown. But...it had the cool spade pulls! I quickly called and had them hold the piece. I'm sure this is just part of the story of this little table's life.
The table, as typical with Brown Saltman pieces is very nicely made with many small details revealing the consciousness of the designer. The small angled legs, dowel stretchers and case edges are all made of solid walnut. The drawer faces are bookmatched and have nicely curved corners. There is always a question of whether or not to refinish vintage pieces. Most mass produced pieces do not have the cache' to justify preserving the original finish unless they are pristine. The lacquer finish most of these used does not spot repair well and is subject to yellowing and crazing as they age. This piece however, is pretty rare, is in very good original shape and has the advantage of having an oiled finish. Oiled finishes do not protect well but they do repair well so don't always have to be stripped and refinished. There are a few small scratches on the top edges in the solid walnut and one very faint water ring on the top. This is a piece that I think has added value if the finish is original. I don't know which of the design luminaries of Brown Saltman penned this piece, I suspect John Keal but cannot confirm. I do know that I'm not likely to see one again.
With its size it could be used as either an end table or a small coffee table. In either case it will bring some cool into your living room.
Dimensions 27" x 27" x 18"H
sold
