What is the historical origin of a Victorian loo table?

Originating in the 18th and 19th centuries, loo tables were designed specifically for playing the popular card game Loo. They feature a tilting top mechanism allowing the surface to fold vertically when not in use, saving space in drawing rooms.

What materials were commonly used in Victorian inlaid tables?

Victorian craftsmen frequently utilized solid oak, walnut, mahogany, and rosewood for the structural framework, combining them with contrasting ebony, boxwood, or fruitwood inlays to form intricate geometric or floral marquetry motifs.

How can you identify an authentic 19th-century tilt-top centre table?

Authentic pieces feature period-correct brass or iron tilt latches, hand-carved pedestal supports, hand-cut veneer or parquet work, and original brass or ceramic castors attached to the feet.

How can a Victorian centre table be styled in modern interiors?

A Victorian centre table can serve as an entryway focal point in an entrance hall or act as a compact dining table. When tilted vertically, the decorative parquet top functions as a visual architectural element against a wall.

How should parquet and inlaid wood furniture be preserved?

Keep the wood away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent cracking or lifting of the veneer. Clean the surface using a dry microfibre cloth and apply a high-grade beeswax polish annually to protect the finish.

for sale €4,037 $4,382

£3,450

Yolanda Gray Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Aug 2010

View Dealers Stock Page

Trade Associations

Yolanda Gray Antiques is a registered member of LAPADA CINOA

Relevant Links

Oak Centre Table

Brown Oak Centre Table

Id #SA1107958

PDF

SAVE

Antique Continental Victorian Oak & Ebony Parquet Rectangle Occasional / Loo / Centre / Dining Table (Circa 1860)

19th century

For Sale by Yolanda Gray Antiques

Description

This is an exceptional quality antique continental oak centre table, of rectangular shape, decorated with a stunning star-shaped parquet top, incorporating ebony and other woods, on a quattro column pedestal, with a tilting mechanism, circa 1860, in excellent original condition.

Summary:

• Item: Oak Centre Table

• Circa: 1860

• Period: Victorian

• Provenance: Belgium / Dutch / French

• Wood: Oak & Ebony

• Table Top Size: 4ft 1?” x 3ft 2?”

• Rectangular shape

• Stunning star-shaped parquet tabletop

• Reeded frieze

• Tilting table-top

• Quattro shaped column pedestal

• Four scroll shaped oak feet

• Original ceramic brass castors

• No breaks to legs or frame

• Stunning quality & condition

• Ideal as a centre / occasional / games / dining table

• Free delivery to England, Wales & southern Scotland*

• 14-day free UK returns

Description:

An ideal table to be placed in the centre of a room, for display purposes, or to be used a dining or games table. The rectangular table top comprises a stunning quality star-shaped parquet design, with the outline of the star, defined in ebony wood, bordered by an outer geometrical zig-zag pattern, all constructed with different cuts of oak in a wonderful configuration, displaying the magnificent medullary rays in the quarter sawn oak sections. The top is finished with moulded edge on a recessed frieze, decorated with reeded curved corners.

The top is hinged and can be positioned vertically, to enable the table to be stored away. The table top can be locked horizontally to the pedestal base with the two brass locking bolts on the underside of the table. The table can be removed from the pedestal base by un-screwing two large brass hinge bolts, to allow for easy through doorway or transportation. The oak centre table is raised on a central pedestal, comprising four decorative shaped columns; that stand above four bar shaped cross-sectional scroll shaped feet, that terminate on its original ceramic castors.

Dimensions – Table Top Horizontal:

Height = 71.7cm / 28¼” / 2ft 4¼”

Width = 125.5cm / 49” / 4ft 1”

Depth = 97cm / 38" / 3ft 2”

Dimensions – Table Top Vertical:

Height = 145.5cm / 57¼” / 4ft 9¼”

Width = 58cm / 22¾” / 1ft 10¾”

Depth = 97cm / 38” / 3ft 2”

Condition Report:

All the parquet sections in the table-top are original and intact. The oak dining table has been cleaned and French polished by hand to a professional standard in our workshop, therefore the colour and patination is of an excellent standard. Nominal old use marks to the top, frame and leading edges but nothing significant considering the age of the item (see photos). The tilting mechanism, brass hinged bolts and brass locking bolts are all in excellent working condition. The pedestal column is secured and in excellent original condition. There are no breaks to the stem or legs. The continental table stands on its original ceramic castors. The continental oak centre table is solid in joint and is ready to use.

Price:

The price for this item is £3,450, which includes free delivery to mainland England, Wales & southern Scotland* and free 14-day returns.

Free UK Delivery*:

We offer free delivery to mainland England, Wales, and Southern Scotland (anywhere south of Stirling).

14-Day Free UK Returns & Refunds:

A free 14-day “no quibble” returns policy (from the date you receive the item) is available if you are not happy with this item. We will collect the item free of charge from you (we do not charge a return fee / collection fee).

International Buyers:

If you live outside the UK and you would like to purchase this item, please contact us before purchasing it, so that we can obtain an accurate shipping quote and delivery lead-time.

About the Seller:

This item is being sold by Yola Gray Antiques who is an accredited member of LAPADA and CINOA. Yola Gray has dealt in fine art and antique furniture for over 45 years.

Ref. 109126

Physical Dimensions

Height

71.7cm (28.23")

Width

125.5cm (49.41")

Depth

97cm (38.19")

Declaration

Yolanda Gray Antiques has dated this Victorian Oak Centre Table to the 1860s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1107958

Dealers Internal Reference

109126

Dealers Notes

Please contact us on 01829 458 070 or 07960 738 212 to arrange a viewing. Alternatively, please email: info@yolagray.com

Description

fig 1. A Victorian oak tilt-top centre table featuring a rectangular parquet tabletop with a central ebony starburst inlay set on a carved pedestal base with castors. — fig 1. Antique Continental Victorian Oak & Ebony Parquet Rectangle Occasional / Loo / Centre / Dining Table (Circa 1860)

Summary:

• Item: Oak Centre Table

• Circa: 1860

• Period: Victorian

• Provenance: Belgium / Dutch / French

• Wood: Oak & Ebony

• Table Top Size: 4ft 1?” x 3ft 2?”

• Rectangular shape

• Stunning star-shaped parquet tabletop

fig 2. A Victorian oak tilt-top centre table featuring a rectangular parquet tabletop with a central ebony starburst inlay set on a carved pedestal base with castors. — fig 2. Antique Continental Victorian Oak & Ebony Parquet Rectangle Occasional / Loo / Centre / Dining Table (Circa 1860)

• Reeded frieze

• Tilting table-top

• Quattro shaped column pedestal

• Four scroll shaped oak feet

• Original ceramic brass castors

• No breaks to legs or frame

• Stunning quality & condition

• Ideal as a centre / occasional / games / dining table

fig 3. A Victorian oak tilt-top centre table featuring a rectangular parquet tabletop with a central ebony starburst inlay set on a carved pedestal base with castors. — fig 3. Antique Continental Victorian Oak & Ebony Parquet Rectangle Occasional / Loo / Centre / Dining Table (Circa 1860)

• Free delivery to England, Wales & southern Scotland*

• 14-day free UK returns

Description:

“

An ideal table to be placed in the centre of a room, for display purposes, or to be used a dining or games table.

Yolanda Gray Antiques

The rectangular table top comprises a stunning quality star-shaped parquet design, with the outline of the star, defined in ebony wood, bordered by an outer geometrical zig-zag pattern, all constructed with different cuts of oak in a wonderful configuration, displaying the magnificent medullary rays in the quarter sawn oak sections. The top is finished with moulded edge on a recessed frieze, decorated with reeded curved corners.

fig 4. A Victorian oak tilt-top centre table featuring a rectangular parquet tabletop with a central ebony starburst inlay set on a carved pedestal base with castors. — fig 4. Antique Continental Victorian Oak & Ebony Parquet Rectangle Occasional / Loo / Centre / Dining Table (Circa 1860)

The top is hinged and can be positioned vertically, to enable the table to be stored away. The table top can be locked horizontally to the pedestal base with the two brass locking bolts on the underside of the table. The table can be removed from the pedestal base by un-screwing two large brass hinge bolts, to allow for easy through doorway or transportation. The oak centre table is raised on a central pedestal, comprising four decorative shaped columns; that stand above four bar shaped cross-sectional scroll shaped feet, that terminate on its original ceramic castors.

fig 5. A Victorian oak tilt-top centre table featuring a rectangular parquet tabletop with a central ebony starburst inlay set on a carved pedestal base with castors. — fig 5. Antique Continental Victorian Oak & Ebony Parquet Rectangle Occasional / Loo / Centre / Dining Table (Circa 1860)

Dimensions – Table Top Horizontal:

Height = 71.7cm / 28¼” / 2ft 4¼”

Width = 125.5cm / 49” / 4ft 1”

Depth = 97cm / 38" / 3ft 2”

Dimensions – Table Top Vertical:

Height = 145.5cm / 57¼” / 4ft 9¼”

Width = 58cm / 22¾” / 1ft 10¾”

fig 6. A Victorian oak tilt-top centre table featuring a rectangular parquet tabletop with a central ebony starburst inlay set on a carved pedestal base with castors. — fig 6. Antique Continental Victorian Oak & Ebony Parquet Rectangle Occasional / Loo / Centre / Dining Table (Circa 1860)

Depth = 97cm / 38” / 3ft 2”

Condition Report:

All the parquet sections in the table-top are original and intact. The oak dining table has been cleaned and French polished by hand to a professional standard in our workshop, therefore the colour and patination is of an excellent standard. Nominal old use marks to the top, frame and leading edges but nothing significant considering the age of the item (see photos). The tilting mechanism, brass hinged bolts and brass locking bolts are all in excellent working condition. The pedestal column is secured and in excellent original condition. There are no breaks to the stem or legs. The continental table stands on its original ceramic castors. The continental oak centre table is solid in joint and is ready to use.

fig 7. A Victorian oak tilt-top centre table featuring a rectangular parquet tabletop with a central ebony starburst inlay set on a carved pedestal base with castors. — fig 7. Antique Continental Victorian Oak & Ebony Parquet Rectangle Occasional / Loo / Centre / Dining Table (Circa 1860)

Price:

The price for this item is £3,450, which includes free delivery to mainland England, Wales & southern Scotland* and free 14-day returns.

Free UK Delivery*:

We offer free delivery to mainland England, Wales, and Southern Scotland (anywhere south of Stirling).

fig 8. A Victorian oak tilt-top centre table featuring a rectangular parquet tabletop with a central ebony starburst inlay set on a carved pedestal base with castors. — fig 8. Antique Continental Victorian Oak & Ebony Parquet Rectangle Occasional / Loo / Centre / Dining Table (Circa 1860)

14-Day Free UK Returns & Refunds:

A free 14-day “no quibble” returns policy (from the date you receive the item) is available if you are not happy with this item. We will collect the item free of charge from you (we do not charge a return fee / collection fee).

fig 9. A Victorian oak tilt-top centre table featuring a rectangular parquet tabletop with a central ebony starburst inlay set on a carved pedestal base with castors. — fig 9. Antique Continental Victorian Oak & Ebony Parquet Rectangle Occasional / Loo / Centre / Dining Table (Circa 1860)

International Buyers:

If you live outside the UK and you would like to purchase this item, please contact us before purchasing it, so that we can obtain an accurate shipping quote and delivery lead-time.

About the Seller:

This item is being sold by Yola Gray Antiques who is an accredited member of LAPADA and CINOA. Yola Gray has dealt in fine art and antique furniture for over 45 years.

Ref. 109126