Thanks to an ingenious mechanism this elegant mahogany table can be used in several different ways - in its lowest horizontal position (72 cm high) it functions beautifully as an occasional or lamp table, but then by raising the top and making use of its original (detachable) book rest, it transforms into a reading or display table, capable of supporting a fairly substantial book (see image). It certainly has many uses both domestically or within a retail/restaurant setting, because by simply releasing a catch in the column, this table can be raised higher, perfect for displaying documents. This table was made during the first years of Queen Victoria''s reign (1837 - 1901), a period known for its manufacture of elegant high-quality furniture that showed a good degree of restraint when it came to its design, ideal for today''s interiors. Unusually, we can date this attractive piece quite accurately as its original castors bear a finely cast lozenge patent mark (see image) for the 13th o...