Additional Coverage:
- ‘Antiques Roadshow’ guest surprises viewers by turning her 200-year-old table into a staircase (marketrealist.com)
A 200-Year-Old Surprise: ‘Antiques Roadshow’ Guest Reveals Table That Transforms into a Staircase
An “Antiques Roadshow” guest recently stunned viewers with a unique piece of furniture: a 200-year-old metamorphic library table that converts into a staircase. The guest, who received the table as a graduation gift, initially presented it as a seemingly ordinary table.
Antique expert Andrew Holter examined the piece, admiring its veneers and leather inset top. He identified it as an English Regency writing desk, possibly designed in the style of renowned London cabinet maker Thomas Gillow.
However, the table’s real surprise came when the guest revealed its hidden function. Lifting the top, they unveiled a set of built-in steps.
Fully extended, the table transformed into a small, yet sturdy staircase, perfect for reaching high library shelves. The ingenious design, crafted from mahogany and oak, impressed both the guest and Holter.
The guest revealed their parents purchased the table for $1,600. Holter, noting the rarity and excellent condition of the piece, estimated its current auction value between $3,000 and $5,000. This unusual antique proved that sometimes the most unassuming items can hold the greatest surprises and value.