I was on my way out of the front door of the auction house, my arms heavy with a box of stuff I’d just bought but likely didn’t need when I spotted the table. The staff had placed it right in the path of us auction-goers, obviously, to make sure we didn’t miss such a prize.
It caught my eye because it was so different. Although the table was made of wood, it had folds along its bottom edge, giving the impression that it was draped in a white tablecloth with a green hem. But there was no cloth, just the maker’s hand fooling my eyes. The folds and shadings in the wood were that close to looking real.
It was a cleverly made table, I thought, as I put my box down on the floor to examine it more closely. Near one corner on the top were two red dots: Absentee bidders were already clamoring for it. So, the placement by the door had had its desired effect, and I suspected that the auction house and the consigner would be very happy with the bids.
The table was short, rectangular in shape, less than three feet long or tall, but its size had nothing to do with its attractiveness. It looked to be hand-made and hand-painted, the maker very meticulous in the curves along the hem and the paint strokes on the top and sides. It also seemed to be an old piece of furniture that someone had taken very good care of.
I wasn’t around when the table sold, but someone got a beauty.
I was attending another auction a few days later when I stumbled upon another table that rivaled that one. That auction house was having one of its Modern Design sales, and I was doing my usual walk-through in search of some interesting finds.
I normally come across unusual pieces of furniture and lovely artwork among its offering, and I’m always introduced to new artists.
This time was no different. As I turned a corner, a bright green two-tiered oval-shaped table almost blocked an aisle. The top tier of the wooden table didn’t have folds but waves in a rhythmic flow, made with hands as deft as the first table.
The bottom tier had a small drawer, and the table appeared to be in the Federal style. The lower part reminded me of a 1950s side or end table.
It, too, seemed to have some age on it, and had the same “wow” appearance of the one with folds.
As I stood there admiring it, an auction-goer remarked on how cute it was. She was right, but I was not in the market for a table, even though I did like this one very much.
The table had no absentee-bid numbers on it yet, but I expected that to change way before the furniture auction got started.
