How do I safely move one of these around?

Always lift the main carcase from the solid lower sections rather than grabbing the flat table edge. The top surface often overlaps the base and can pull away if strained. Remove the swing mirror first if the side screws allow it. This stops the glass swinging into the frame and reduces the overall weight considerably.

The mirror on mine sits quite loose and keeps flopping forward when I try to use it for getting ready in the mornings, can it be tightened?

Check the wooden thumbscrews located on the side uprights. These thread directly into the mirror frame and often just need a firm twist to grip the timber again. Sometimes the internal wooden threads wear down after decades of friction. You can pack a small piece of thick paper into the hole to give the screw something fresh to bite against. If the metal fittings are missing entirely, replacement brass friction hinges are available from restoration suppliers.

What is the small middle drawer for?

Most people used that central space for keeping hairpins or small items of jewellery. It sits at the perfect height for reaching while seated. The curved front allowed the user to sit quite close to the mirror without banging their knees.

I have noticed that the back legs on these tables are plain straight wood while the front ones are carved, why did they do that?

Cabinetmakers saved their expensive materials and labour for the surfaces that people actually looked at. A Duchess dressing table sat pushed hard against a bedroom wall. Nobody saw the back legs, so the workshops used plain squared timber to build them. This kept the overall retail price down while maintaining a smart front profile.

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Victorian Duchess Dressing Tables

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The antique Duchess dressing table is a freestanding Victorian bedroom piece characterised by a swing mirror mounted above a shaped surface, sitting on front cabriole legs and a lower platform base. They held grooming items and provided a dedicated space for daily preparations.