TABLE (?) for ID

David · 25th October 2016, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

I THINK THAT IS INTERESTING... I NEVER SAW A BOARD ATTACHED TO THE CUTTING SPIKE ARRANGEMENT...HOWEVER, I THINK IT IS TOO SMALL AND DOES NOT HAVE THE ARCH AT THE TOP... I STICK WITH MY REFERENCED SITUATION AS A MASSAGE TABLE.

The link to the Ayurvedic message table you made does not really resemble this at all. Besides being too low to the ground the table simply isn't large enough. Yes, it could have been cut down length wise, but not width wise. Unless they made very small tables for little children i will search elsewhere for purpose here.

David · 25th October 2016, 05:31 PM

Here are many examples of such massage tables. I am afraid that this little thing does not have the capacity nor features to serve as such a table.
https://www.google.com/search?q=Ayur...w=1377&bih=787

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 26th October 2016, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Here are many examples of such massage tables. I am afraid that this little thing does not have the capacity nor features to serve as such a table.
https://www.google.com/search?q=Ayur...w=1377&bih=787

It doesn't have the capacity?..correct...because it has had the end sawn off...probably about 2 feet of it. These items often come with a separate bench ..see above.
Note that two strutts have been attached roughly...and 4 small legs...These are not original so the board was a lot less "tall" and simply rested on a raised bench then the board was either hung on a nail or simply rested against a wall to drain.
This is according to my two Indian chaps ( Kerala) on my team.

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.

26th October 2016, 07:59 AM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,044	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.

25th October 2016, 05:31 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,227	Here are many examples of such massage tables. I am afraid that this little thing does not have the capacity nor features to serve as such a table. https://www.google.com/search?q=Ayur...w=1377&bih=787

26th October 2016, 11:49 AM	#6
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,044	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	#7
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,227	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.