Hard to tell, but here's a link that can help define what an antique is:

Does it matter, e.g., is the fact that the seller is calling it an antique raising the price? It's very pretty. I like the burled maple (?) top. It's a little hard to tell what its proportions are. Wonder if you could have them send you a pic of the bottom so you could see what's on the bottom--is it glued, stapled, stamped.

Here is a link that might be useful: Antique furniture blog.

I've never seen an "antique" with a smoked glass insert.

Are they claiming it's an antique, or just a reproduction? An antique is usually over 100 yrs old, though I'm not absolutely sure if there's an official legality. I think it's way more likely to be a repro. (smoked glass included).

End tables needing paint are easy to find on Craigslist. You just want to look at the proportions. I would pass on the table above. You'd have to paint it which would remove the little charm it has in the banded wood top. The legs and proportions are a bit clunky and not at all graceful or pretty. From the inspiration pictures you've posted on other threads, I think you like pretty. :)

Also, like Gracie pointed out, you'd have to buy another piece of glass to replace the smoked one.

Dee

I've never seen an "antique" with a smoked glass insert.

Too funny.

It seems you are all thinking that smoked glass is something new. I can find references to "smoked glass" as far back as 1806 in literature.
Pam, if the table is the right size and right price and you like it, buy it. My guess would be this piece is at least 75 years old, but more likely older. It's beautiful and a little bit of Old English will take care of any little imperfections. OE comes in dark and light wood tones.

Here is a link that might be useful: Smoked Glass in literature.

I have always thought that something had to be 50 years old to be an antique. I'll be one soon!

To be an "antique, somethning must be 100 years old...that's the new definition. The older more traditional definition and the one that still applys for export duty free from some countries, it must be before the industrial revolution.
Smoked glass has nothing to do with if the table is antique or not.
I see nothing that indicates how it's made. It's not any traditional style that I know of. It's a nice table with very nice wood. If it fits and you like it and what they are asking is what you will be willing to pay for a table to fit your spot....then buy it! What matter if it's antique or merely used?
Linda C

Justgotbeme, as an ex-linguistics and literature major, I feel a need to point out that just because a term was used hundreds of years ago, it didn't necessarily have the same meaning that it does today. Think of "nice" (foolish, ignorant) and silly ("happy"). I think those early references to "smoked glass" meant simply a piece of glass that was held in a fire to develop a haze, so it could be used to view an eclipse safely.

Even if smoked glass as we know it was available in the 19th century, I'm willing to bet that it wasn't used in furniture until the 1960's or so.

Here is a link that might be useful: Etymology of the word

It's a Chinese style, with the in-turned legs, oval shape.
Casey

I'd only worry about the 'antique' aspect if it's affecting the price (expensive). People have always used the term antique to describe things that are simply old, so you can't really take it literally unless you know the source is knowledgeable on the subject. I think a lot of people probably don't even realize when they use the words "antique" or "vintage" to describe something that those words actually have technical definitions. On the other hand, others will call something that's old an antique because people will think it's valuable.

I had inquired once on a piece of furniture (don't recall what it was at this moment) although it was not referred to as an "antique" in the ad, when speaking to the person selling it, she stated that "I dont know how old it is, but I know that it is very very old (I'm getting excited hearing this, thinking I've stumbled upon an antique or at very least a great vintage piece...then she continues, it's like from the 70's"

My heart sank...lol, if that's REALLY REALLY OLD to her, then I must be a relic...barely alive in fact!!!

I agree that if its a decent price, and it can work, get it. You wont see a piece like that at your local furniture store! I like it.

ROFLMHO Rhonda!

Thank you dilettante, I'm sure you're right about the example I gave, but I have seen smoked glass pitchers and other glassware from the Victorian era. Just couldn't find any pictures online at the time I wrote that. I also stated "Pam, if the table is the right size and right price and you like it, buy it." Which my point was yes it might be old, but not to worry about that if she liked it and it wasn't over priced.

Thanks for your ideas. I have done some Googling and it seems like this piece has some French Art Nouveau influence which would work in our space if the love seat I'm looking at comes together for me, too. I'll look at it this weekend. The price on it is good.

...Pam

How about linking what you found on pieces like this. It would be really interesting to see some background on it.