Antique of the week - Tilt Top Table

For an antiques lover, there is almost nothing greater than having a beloved family piece that was off of the grid for years returned to the family for whatever reason.  That's what happened with this mahogany tilt top table.  It belonged, originally, to my Great Aunt Mary Lee and her husband, Uncle Bunyan.  They purchased it sometime around 1910 when they were living in New York.  It is a re-purposed square grand piano leg.  Now, I don't know if they commissioned this piece or if was already made into the table when they purchased it.  I never thought to ask anyone who might know.  Oops LOL

This table stayed with them the rest of their married lives, ending up in Raleigh for years until Bunyan's death in the early 70's.  Shortly after that, Mary Lee came home to Wingate, NC to live her remaining years with her sister Sara.  She gradually broke up housekeeping over the course of a few years with the help of many family members.  Margaret, who was the eldest of the family's next generation, was very close to her Aunt Mary Lee. And when Mary Lee was dividing up her home, Margaret wanted this table.  Everyone loved Margaret and she usually got what she wanted, including the table.

So, off it went to Lakeland, Florida to Margaret and her husband George.  Margaret died of cancer in the early 80's having promised the return of many family pieces including the Tiffany lamp that always sat on this table.  However, having not written any of that in her will, it was not done and George kept it all.  Oh well.  Fast forward to 1991.  A phone call came randomly from George.  I remember that I answered the phone and he thought I was Dad.  We hadn't seen him since the mid 80's.  Anyway, George had become ill and needed to make some room in his house so that he could get around in his wheelchair.  He was calling to offer Mom a pie safe that had also been in the family.
When she called him back to accept and say she had a way to get the pie safe transported, she just flat out asked him about the table...if she could have it.  Amazingly, he agreed immediately much to Mom's delight.  By the way, the Tiffany lamp never made it back to us.  (sad trombone)

When Dad remarried after Mom's death and broke up his house, I got this piece.  I absolutely love it and cherish it.  It's one of the first things I see when I enter through the front door!  So, that's the history of that...as much as I know.  If  you know something I don't, please share!