Item 57

Aesthetic Elephant Table (Club House & Hotel Reading Room)

Attributed to C.G. Akam Mfg. Company & Akam and Skinner

This historically significant and eccentric piece is a “Museum-Grade” cast iron utility table, dating to the late 1860s to 1870s. Originally designed for the high-traffic environments of Victorian-era club houses and hotel reading rooms, this table is a premier example of the ornate ironwork produced by C.G. Akam (Chicago) and Akam and Skinner (New York).

The “Elephant” motif was a hallmark of high-Victorian design, symbolizing strength and exoticism. While C.G. Akam was legendary for manufacturing full-sized cast iron parlor billiard tables, this specific reading room model is a rare survival of their complementary furniture line.

Specifications & Features:

  • Top: 40″ square, 1″ thick solid walnut plank.

  • Base: Four detailed cast iron elephants supporting the structure.

  • Artistry: Side panels are intricately decorated with gold leaf butterflies in flight, adding a delicate “Folk Art” contrast to the heavy industrial frame.

  • Dimensions: 40″ W x 40″ D x 28.5″ H.

  • Weight: Approximately 160 lbs.

Provenance suggests this rare table originated from an old Montana hotel lobby during the “horse and buggy” era, making it a spectacular centerpiece for a luxury game room or a serious collection of billiard-related ephemera.

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