It’s a table, but what kind of table is it?

The antique table was beautiful from where I stood, and as I drew closer, it grew even nicer. There’s something about dark wood cut in a pleasing form that checkmates me.

It had Louix XV-style legs and an inlaid design embracing two keyholes on the drawers. A red velvet pouch hanging from its bottom gave this table an odd look, though.

I wasn’t sure if it was just a side table or something more than that. And what on earth could that pouch be used for? I got an inkling when I opened the hinged top. Can you guess what I found and what this table was made for? Click on the first photo for the answer.

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“ART WITH HEART: How I Built a Sweet Collection by Buying Cheap at Auction”

I collect art, but I’m not someone who has the means to pay $500,000 for a Charles White or $12 million for a Rembrandt. I’m one of the “rest of us” who want beautiful artwork in our homes but can’t afford to pay big bucks for it.

I found a novel way to build my collection – by buying art for very little money at mom-and-pop auction houses near where I live. I started out buying African American artists whose works spoke to me and were ignored by the mainstream art world. Then I discovered some other neglected artists who called out just as loud.

My book “ART WITH HEART” Is a selection of stories of how I found art that I loved, how I lost out on some, won others, learned some lessons that I share with you – and enjoyed every minute of it.

So, grab a seat next to me as I take you through the moments I spent building a collection that stirred my heart.

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Listen to and read an excerpt