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I recently bought this trio of Chinese nesting tables. The appear to be 19th c. and of good quality, but the condition of the tables has me wondering whether to restore or leave them as they are.

Here's a link to some photos of the tables...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23676403@N07/4169383444/

Naturally, as just a decorative piece I would restore them, but I realize as an antique that restorations can have an adverse affect on the value.

A similar set sold at Sotheby's (New York) for $9,000 in 2004. Here's the link ...
http://www.sothebys.com/app/live/lot/LotDetail.jsp?lot_id=4B46P

The surfaces of the tables have minor wear/scratches, but overall are quite nice - really great paintings of bird & flowers.

The legs have losses of lacquer near the feet and a few chips here and there, but again, 95% or better in good shape.

The edges of the tables are the real issue. There are several areas of lost lacquer in on all three tables (see photos). It seems easy enough to fix, but should I?

Thanks for the advice.
Tim

Hello,
Instead of offering an opinion I would like to make a statement. Almost all of the furniture from China that I have seen here in Taiwan, and that looks as good as that in the Sothesby pictures, is either not antique or restored.
I think the superb state of high-class furniture auctioned by the big auction houses is just not natural. Probably most of it has been restored at one time or another.
I assume all people who have been working with or restoring antique furniture personally will agree.

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