The Tulip table is one of the most sought-after design pieces on the second-hand market too: private listings, flea markets, vintage shops. A lower asking price is understandably tempting, but a table with a marble top and a single pedestal base has weak points that a photo will not show. In this guide we look at what to check on a used Tulip table, which hidden costs to expect and when buying new is the better option.
Why used Tulip tables are so popular
Eero Saarinen's design dates from the late 1950s and has never gone out of fashion, so tables from every era and source are in circulation. Alongside period originals, which are rare and expensive, you will find reissues, mass-produced tables and copies of very mixed quality. To understand the difference between an original and a table inspired by the design, read our guide Saarinen table, original or Tulip style: what changes.
The top: what to inspect closely
The top is the most expensive part of the table and the hardest to repair. Before you agree on a price, ask to see it in person and in good light.
- Cracks: run your palm over the whole surface and look at the top against the light. A crack in marble does not close and tends to grow over time.
- Edges and corners: chips along the edge are common on tables that have been moved many times. Small chips can be filled, but they stay visible.
- Rings and dull patches: marble is a calcareous stone and reacts to acids such as lemon, wine and vinegar. Widespread dull marks mean the top was not protected and may need professional honing.
- Flatness: lay a spirit level or a long ruler across the diameter. A top that is not perfectly flat may point to a warped sub-top.
If the top is laminate, check instead that the edge is not swollen or peeling: it is a sign that water has got into the board.
The base and the fixing
The goblet-shaped base is what makes the Tulip recognisable, but it also carries the whole weight of the top on a single point.
- Stability: rest your hands on the edge and try to rock the table gently. If it wobbles, the problem may be the fixing between top and base, or the sub-top.
- Paintwork: scratches and rust spots on the base are common on older pieces. A proper respray is possible, but it costs money.
- Proportions: a very large top on a small base is unbalanced. Ask for the measurements of both and compare them with a new table of the same size.
- Material: ask what the base is made of. Private sellers often do not know; if there is no information, count it as an unknown.
For a complete list of construction details to check, see our article How to recognise a quality Tulip table.
The hidden costs of buying used
The listed price is rarely the final price. Before deciding, add everything up:
- Collection and transport: a marble table has to be taken apart, wrapped and carried flat by at least two people. Private sellers seldom help, so transport is up to you.
- Restoration: honing and polishing the marble, repainting the base, replacing screws or the sub-top.
- No guarantee: between private individuals there is usually no return and no support if a defect shows up after the sale.
- Limited choice: second-hand, you take what is available. Size, shape and marble are those of the listing, not necessarily what your dining room needs.
If you have to move the table yourself, follow the advice in our guide Moving a marble Tulip table.
When a new table makes more sense
A used table can be a good deal if you find one in excellent condition, at a genuinely low price and close to home. In many other cases a new table is the safer choice, especially if:
- you need an exact size for your room or for the number of people at the table;
- you want to choose the marble, such as Carrara, Marquinia or Emperador Dark, or a more practical laminate top;
- you would rather have the table packed and delivered without arranging collection;
- you want the security of a purchase covered by consumer rights, including, where the law provides for it, the right to withdraw from online purchases.
The choice at Tavoli.Design
At Tavoli.Design you will find round and oval Tulip tables in several sizes, with marble or laminate tops. If you are after the classic pairing of a white base and light marble, have a look at our oval Tulip tables in Carrara marble. And if, after weighing up the second-hand market, you are unsure about sizes or materials, get in touch: we will help you choose before you order.
In short
A used Tulip table has to be seen in person: a top without cracks, intact edges, a stable base and balanced proportions are the bare minimum. On top of the listed price, add transport, any restoration and the lack of a guarantee. If the total comes close to the price of a new table, buying new gets you the size and material you want, with no surprises.