Where is this table from?

October 5, 2009 8:31 AM

Where in the world is this table (1 2) from? We got it at a yard sale. It's octagonal, about 27" in diameter, and 6" high, and it has metal ornamentation attached to the top. We were thinking South Asia, or perhaps North Africa, but really have no idea. Any help much appreciated!
posted by carter to Home & Garden (7 answers total)

Looks somewhat Moroccan, and the octogon is a common motif in Moroccan decor. At 6" high, though, I wonder about its purpose.
posted by Miko at 9:00 AM on October 5, 2009

I also thought Morocco - but then Turkey filtered in. Something about the Arabesque.
posted by watercarrier at 9:02 AM on October 5, 2009

It's a coffee table. They sit on carpets you know.
posted by watercarrier at 9:03 AM on October 5, 2009

Assuming that the legs are 6 inches tall, not the whole table top+legs, I think it's a Moroccan tea table. They are very low and were there to put elaborately beautiful teapots and cups on them as part of a formal greeting/welcome.
posted by julen at 9:07 AM on October 5, 2009

Response by poster: Aha! That was quick! I am now wondering too if it is a tea table ... Yes it would be on the floor and people would sit cross-legged around it on carpets. A Moroccan tea ceremony can be quite elaborate, I think (much mixing of tea, sugar, and mint).
posted by carter at 9:28 AM on October 5, 2009

Response by poster: Actually, the whole thing is 6" high (legs and all).
posted by carter at 9:29 AM on October 5, 2009

When I was stationed in the Azores (a Portuguese possession), I went to bars that had these kind of tables. The tables had been made in Macau, a formerly Portuguese possession in the far east.
posted by dwbrant at 1:36 PM on October 7, 2009