The Finished Kauri Table

Definitely a lot of work getting this table sorted. Lots of time spent filling the holes with tinted filler, wire wool, filling, wire wool, filling...one has to stop somewhere. But definitely better, especially the legs. I'm also beginning to suspect that the table isn't in fact Kauri, but rather Rimu...still it's a lovely wood and with wonderful glow to it. Lots of scuff marks on the table top which indicates loads of use. When I purchased this table it was sitting in the middle of their kitchen, just as it was designed to be. I haven't quite figured out the large stain on the top though. I suspect it's not ink but not sure what else it might be.

The Finished Oak Table

What a difference.

Not too much work involved in getting the table to a stage where I could start working on the table top.  The legs have come up beautifully. You can still see the watermarks at the base, which I wanted to remain slightly visible, as they, and the ink stain are remants of its past life. I wonder where the inkstain came from?

This table was also bought on Trade Me on Saturday 4 December 2011. Bit cheaper at $62.95. The listing read:

Solid  extension table in need of restoration. Table top has some scars and imperfections that are restorable, (see photos). There is a written date on 7/12/8 which is probably the manufacture date. No borer very solid. Inspection welcome. See my listing for other oak furniture piece.

This table was in better nick, although a rather nice 'hole' in the tabletop which wasn't mentioned or noticeable in the photos! There are also serious water marks at the base of the legs which indicates its been sitting somewhere wet for a long time. Shame as it's a lovely shape. I guess it outlasted its use somewhere and then most likely stored down in the garage. The black stain you can see is ink!


This table will be at Roasted Addiqtion in Kingsland. They have another table almost extactly the same.

This table was purchased on Trade Me on Thursday 16 December 2011 for $100. This listing read:

Gorgeous antique Kauri Table, has end draw for cutlery etc, 760H 1220L 855W, borer have made awesome detail on top and legs, has been treated.

I particularly liked the bit about borer having made awesome detail! And it actually looked better in the Trade Me photo than when I saw it for the first time. One has to wonder where it's been and how it came to be so neglected. There were loads of borer holes in the table top and also the legs.

It also looks like at some stage the top may have been painted and then stripped.

This table is going into Te Karanga in K Road as it fits reasonably well with the tables they have in the Tea Shop upstairs.

With all my memory work involving objects I either find what I need at second hand stores, Salvation Army outlets, or, in this case through the Trade Me website. One of the main requirements is for the object to already have had a home. This ensures that there is history attached to the object; they may have been loved, or simply been acquired as a necessity, and sometimes this history will be reflected in the object by way of scratches, watermarks, stains.