Throughout my travels and experiences as a decorator over the past 26 years, I have only seen four or five other examples of this camel table, which sits proudly and regally center stage in my living room.
I found this table 15 years ago and immediately fell in love with its uniqueness. I knew I had to have it from the moment I set eyes on it in a now-defunct antique store below Manhattan’s Canal Street, which sold a variety of unusual pieces from garden gnomes to carousel horses.
Though irresistible, the table was expensive. I went back three times to negotiate an acceptable price. I’m glad I did because its value has greatly increased over the years; recently, I saw one sell at a Christie’s Auction for 10 times its estimate. But beyond estimates and auctions, my love and admiration for this timeless piece makes it priceless to me.
The story of this hand-carved teak table dates back to the 19th century when I believe it was made and exported to the West from India. The Great Exhibition of 1851 in London displayed many fine examples of Indian arts and crafts, which helped develop an appreciation for such objects in Europe, where more and more items were machine-made due to the Industrial Revolution.
The high quality of Indian crafts was credited to the fact that their artisans were committed to their trades from birth based on caste and the family into which they were born. Skills were handed down from one generation to the next. Later events like the 1876 Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia and the Paris Universal Exhibition of 1878 further increased Western respect for Indian hand-craftsmanship.
Take a closer look at this table and you’ll notice that it is full of realistic details. Modeled on the one-humped Arabian camel or Dromedary native to India, this artisan’s rendition accurately shows the long curved neck (which was made detachable to protect it in transit), deep narrow chest, well-defined eyes, heavy brows, hairy ears, nostrils, and teeth as well as the good muscular definition, leathery knee pads, furry tail and textured skin and fur typical of this animal.
This finely sculpted beast is mounted on an elongated octagonal base to give the table stability. Reminiscent of Turkish tile work, the base is bordered by a stylized carving of leaves. The camel has an elaborate harness and saddle, which incorporates the symmetrical octagonal table top onto his back with a 3-inch border of chiseled flowers, foliage, and an apron.
This remarkable piece speaks to my love of animal motifs and exotic influences, while embodying my passion and admiration for detail and craftsmanship. Hopefully, I’ve helped spark your interest in learning more about how your own collectibles were made.
About Our Expert: The interior decorator founded his New York-based firm, Alex Papachristidis Interiors, in 1987. Known for emphasizing the dynamic details in every room, Papachristidis’ work can be found all over the world from Manhattan to London to Saudi Arabia and has been featured in Elle Décor, House Beautiful, The New York Times, and several other publications and books. He is currently working on a book of his own designs.
Published on November 2, 2009
While there are many sites today dedicated to the pursuit of fashion and style, here at MRK Style we approach these subjects through a collector’s lens. Through exploring how people relate to Art, Family, Fashion, Food, Film and Travel—essentially life’s various, everyday obsessions—we reflect on how we all live with the things we love. 
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