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I obtained this 1940’s veneered octagonal side table from the local tip shop goodies junction. It was covered in blue paint stains on the table top and the veneer was split and lifting from the base. It is a Blyth 132 occasional table produced in the 1940’s in accordance with Furniture Standard No1.
I glued the split veneer back in place and clamped it. I restored the top with Oaks Restorer using 0000 steel wool. That step took three hours of work by hand.
Ultimately this piece will feature in an exhibition of my home front collection at the Canberra Museum and Gallery from August 2025 to February 2026 to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War 2
My Blyth 132 table from early 1940’s restored and now part of the Exhibition Australia’s Home Front 1938-45 at Canberra Museum and Gallery. This table was produced under Furniture Standard No1.
Antiques Downunder came to film my exhibition Australia’s Home Front 1939-45 at Canberra Museum and Gallery for their upcoming third series. My restored Blyth 132 table is included in the segment.
This restored Blyth 132 occasional table was shown in episode 1 series 3 of Antiques Downunder in November 2025 as part of a broader story on the Home Front 1939-45 on show at the Canberra Museum and Gallery.
My restored Blyth 132 occasional table will be added to the permanent collection of the Canberra Museum and Gallery following the completion today of the exhibition Home Front 1939-1945. It is very satisfying that piece of furniture I found at a tip shop and restored has been considered up to museum standard. A great testimony to effort and seeing the potential under multipul layers of house paint.
