TABLE (?) for ID

A. G. Maisey · 26th October 2016, 07:59 AM

Thank you for your response Ibrahiim.
I'm still very puzzled by the lack of any way in which to accommodate the excess oil. All the tables of this type that I can find images of have some provision for oil built into the projection, either a bowl, or a spout or something. I understand your comments in respect of the oil, but that does not address the problem whilst the board is in use.

Perhaps you might be so kind as to ask your Indian informants how the oil problem was managed with this type of table that does not seem to have any provision for oil.

Given, this little table does have a similar overall appearance to a massage table, but when we look at the details, it just doesn't seem to have the same characteristics as a massage table.

I've actually tried to fit my body into a space that is 650mm (25.5") wide. I am not a big man, and although fairly heavy in the upper body, I'm not over weight. A space 650mm wide is insufficient to accommodate my shoulders and arms. Possibly this board was meant as a massage board/table for a child? I doubt that it could be used for many adults.

Is it barely possible that your informants may have been misled by the overall form and overlooked the missing details?

Since you are fortunate enough to have access to people with local knowledge at hand, could you possibly go just one step further and ask if they can explain the significance of the motif carved into the projection? It is this motif that aroused my interest in the first place, because I believe that this motif holds the key to identity of this artefact, rather than the overall form.

Thank you for your attention.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 26th October 2016, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Thank you for your response Ibrahiim.
I'm still very puzzled by the lack of any way in which to accommodate the excess oil. All the tables of this type that I can find images of have some provision for oil built into the projection, either a bowl, or a spout or something. I understand your comments in respect of the oil, but that does not address the problem whilst the board is in use.

Perhaps you might be so kind as to ask your Indian informants how the oil problem was managed with this type of table that does not seem to have any provision for oil.

Given, this little table does have a similar overall appearance to a massage table, but when we look at the details, it just doesn't seem to have the same characteristics as a massage table.

I've actually tried to fit my body into a space that is 650mm (25.5") wide. I am not a big man, and although fairly heavy in the upper body, I'm not over weight. A space 650mm wide is insufficient to accommodate my shoulders and arms. Possibly this board was meant as a massage board/table for a child? I doubt that it could be used for many adults.

Is it barely possible that your informants may have been misled by the overall form and overlooked the missing details?

Since you are fortunate enough to have access to people with local knowledge at hand, could you possibly go just one step further and ask if they can explain the significance of the motif carved into the projection? It is this motif that aroused my interest in the first place, because I believe that this motif holds the key to identity of this artefact, rather than the overall form.

Thank you for your attention.

Salaams A. G. Maisey and thank you for the questions...
No one has a clue as to the design. It seems to be essentially Hindu Arch style . In respect of oil I assume it can also be kept in a bowl at the side...although since a large part appears to be cut/broken off it is possible the bowl was incorporated in that part? I have a few pictures ...
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

A. G. Maisey · 26th October 2016, 11:49 AM

Thank you for your swift response Ibrahiim.

Yes, your pics show pretty much what I've been seeing:- where that little rounded projection appears on these tables it seems to be invariably a shallow bowl, I have yet to see one that is flat, let alone adorned with carving.

I guess since one end of the panel is missing we'll never know exactly what might have been.

In respect of the projection, yes, I agree stylistically Hindu, but the motif within the projection? That is what interests me. Probably a bit much to expect non-specialist people to be able to comment on it.

Thank you very much for trying.

David · 26th October 2016, 01:50 PM

Yes Ibrahiim, those other boards you posted are indeed massage boards, however the board in the original post has far too many problems to serve as such. Besides the small size and oil drainage issues the pointy raised edges an the sides would be completely impractical for the comfort of the client. Whatever this is it is certainly not intended for massage work.

thinreadline · 27th October 2016, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Yes Ibrahiim, those other boards you posted are indeed massage boards, however the board in the original post has far too many problems to serve as such. Besides the small size and oil drainage issues the pointy raised edges an the sides would be completely impractical for the comfort of the client. Whatever this is it is certainly not intended for massage work.

This is all very interesting , but whatever it is for the table is not really 'small size' it is 1.5 m long and that is with the missing bit .

David · 27th October 2016, 07:40 AM

How wide is it?

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 27th October 2016, 08:53 AM

Interesting indeed... I say it has side dishes as required thus the fitted bowl is not needed....except we don't know how long the thing is ...perhaps a few more feet?....Indian villagers aren't that big so a total length of 5 feet would work... The width is about a metre.... wide enough for most people I would suggest....The item has added legs and two support strutts underneath. (I once saw one of these with a painting on it of a famous cleric.) It is certainly something from a village household and the massage tray or board is the closest I can get...but as a table top in its second life it is perfect. Tea anyone?

26th October 2016, 07:59 AM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	Thank you for your response Ibrahiim. I'm still very puzzled by the lack of any way in which to accommodate the excess oil. All the tables of this type that I can find images of have some provision for oil built into the projection, either a bowl, or a spout or something. I understand your comments in respect of the oil, but that does not address the problem whilst the board is in use. Perhaps you might be so kind as to ask your Indian informants how the oil problem was managed with this type of table that does not seem to have any provision for oil. Given, this little table does have a similar overall appearance to a massage table, but when we look at the details, it just doesn't seem to have the same characteristics as a massage table. I've actually tried to fit my body into a space that is 650mm (25.5") wide. I am not a big man, and although fairly heavy in the upper body, I'm not over weight. A space 650mm wide is insufficient to accommodate my shoulders and arms. Possibly this board was meant as a massage board/table for a child? I doubt that it could be used for many adults. Is it barely possible that your informants may have been misled by the overall form and overlooked the missing details? Since you are fortunate enough to have access to people with local knowledge at hand, could you possibly go just one step further and ask if they can explain the significance of the motif carved into the projection? It is this motif that aroused my interest in the first place, because I believe that this motif holds the key to identity of this artefact, rather than the overall form. Thank you for your attention. Last edited by A. G. Maisey; 26th October 2016 at 08:10 AM.

26th October 2016, 11:49 AM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	Thank you for your swift response Ibrahiim. Yes, your pics show pretty much what I've been seeing:- where that little rounded projection appears on these tables it seems to be invariably a shallow bowl, I have yet to see one that is flat, let alone adorned with carving. I guess since one end of the panel is missing we'll never know exactly what might have been. In respect of the projection, yes, I agree stylistically Hindu, but the motif within the projection? That is what interests me. Probably a bit much to expect non-specialist people to be able to comment on it. Thank you very much for trying.

26th October 2016, 01:50 PM	#4
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,218	Yes Ibrahiim, those other boards you posted are indeed massage boards, however the board in the original post has far too many problems to serve as such. Besides the small size and oil drainage issues the pointy raised edges an the sides would be completely impractical for the comfort of the client. Whatever this is it is certainly not intended for massage work.

27th October 2016, 07:40 AM	#6
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,218	How wide is it?

27th October 2016, 08:53 AM	#7
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Interesting indeed... I say it has side dishes as required thus the fitted bowl is not needed....except we don't know how long the thing is ...perhaps a few more feet?....Indian villagers aren't that big so a total length of 5 feet would work... The width is about a metre.... wide enough for most people I would suggest....The item has added legs and two support strutts underneath. (I once saw one of these with a painting on it of a famous cleric.) It is certainly something from a village household and the massage tray or board is the closest I can get...but as a table top in its second life it is perfect. Tea anyone?