Another estate sale find was this unusual, but intriguing, item we discovered in the home of a local artist. It is a mid-19th century Oriental opium hardwood table. These tables used to be used in country homes for the locals to sit around on the floor and smoke their opium.
This particular type was popular around the end of the 19th century. China manufactured these tables specifically to be shipped to western markets. Apparently, a lot of people in the Western Hemisphere were using quite a bit of opium.
Though this exquisite table was originally designed for opium users, it is now our delightful “meditation” table. Its top has an intricately carved pierced frieze… held up on elegant curved legs. Constructed from extremely dense and hard wearing oriental hardwood, they are virtually indestructible.
Okay, this is our latest incidental find for our bedroom…
