What is a duchess dressing table?

A table with the mirror built onto the back rather than standing separately, usually with small drawers to either side of the glass. It's common enough in this category to be its own word, appearing in 52 titles under the duchess and duchesse spellings, and concentrated in Victorian listings.

Are dressing tables and dressing chests the same thing?

They serve the same purpose but sit on different bases. A dressing table is usually open-legged; a dressing chest is a chest of drawers fitted for dressing, often with a swing or shield mirror above. Chest-form pieces make up a substantial minority, with "chest" in 48 of the titles.

Which periods turn up most often?

Victorian and Edwardian dominate: "Victorian" appears in 160 of 566 titles, "Edwardian" in 74. Georgian, Regency and George III pieces together account for roughly a quarter. Eighteenth-century examples are scarce, reaching only about one title in a hundred.

Why do shaving stands appear in this category?

They belong to the same business of washing, shaving and dressing, so dealers list them alongside the tables. Twenty-six of them are recorded. Several are described as telescopic or standing on a tripod base, and one carries a marble top.

How are these pieces usually dated?

Often by period label rather than year. Only 173 of the listings carry a clean year; the rest rest on "Victorian", "19th Century", "Edwardian", "Georgian" or "Regency". Where years are given they span 1800 to 1930, bunching in the 1860s and 1870s, then the 1900s and 1910s.

Do French mahogany dressing tables come up?

Yes, in 27 titles, which makes them the rarest origin group named in the category. Empire styling recurs, with ormolu mounts and marble tops. Dutch, Viennese and American pieces each appear once. Their share of current stock is rising.