Hmmmmm....I may be eating my words.....those dove tails look like they could be hand done. And the brasses could be old....they show signs of wear/polish. What is the distance between the screw holes...on center? The marking on the back mean nothing as far as dating or origin...nor does that previously glued on label. There is too much stain on the top to really say much about the wood....but the inside of the drawer, where the pull goes shows a cherry color. Mo matter what it is....new, old, reopro whatever.....it is well worth $200!!! I am puzzled by the lack or grain figure in the top.

What Pal said...allegorical, but for what I don't know. Perhaps something like "home" or "love" or "fertility"... I see lots of classical figures....the fountain on the dolphin tails, seated woman ( perhaps the Madonna?) with draped blue gown, birds holding a garland etc. Victoria would never be depicted in any sort of dishabille....classical drapery or not...My God....that's a LEG showing!!!! Never!! LOL! Likely a hand colored litho but can't tell without a closer look. What did the back look like? Paper? Linda C

We have a holiday party every year and in the past, it has been earlier in Dec., but this year it's not until the 12th, which is good because our house is a disaster outside, in the midst of a re-siding project! Usually I do like to put up the outside lights and garland the first weekend of Dec., but that will have to wait until probably the 12th... siding job is supposed to be done by then! Today I had to do something so I bought a wreath and a mantel garland from a nursery. This weekend we'll unpack our new fake tree and decorate it. I would love to have a real one but DS2 is allergic. Every year I seem to eliminate a few decorations because I just get tired of them, but I never get tired of my Santa collection. I have about 20 or so different Santas -- some are figurines, some are made out of wood, one is stuffed, etc. Every year I do something different with them. One year I stuffed them all on the mantel. This year they're all going on the shelves in my kitchen. I find that I appreciate them more when they're all together rather than scattered around the house. Lavender, this will make you feel better. I have a collection of plastic Rudolph toys that I display as if they're fancy decorations. I figure Christmas is my excuse to be as tacky as I want to be!

Shivakashi is another one I saw that I am considering, but have not heard mentioned on here before. Sue