How do I clean a sticky table top?

Use a soft cloth dampened with a weak solution of warm water and mild soap. Wring it out well before wiping the surface. Dry the wood immediately with a clean microfibre cloth. Never leave standing water on old French polish or wax finishes.

The table I am looking at wobbles a bit when you press down on the edge, is there a way to tighten the base up?

Most pedestal bases have a thick threaded wooden dowel or a metal rod running down the centre. If the timber shrinks over time, this connection loosens. You can often tighten the hidden bolt under the base block with a spanner. Sometimes a restorer needs to pack the joint with a thin timber wedge to make it rigid again.

Will heavy books warp the table?

Most bases handle heavy books without any trouble. Just keep the weight balanced near the middle.

My dining chairs have quite high arms on them, so I am wondering if they will slide neatly underneath the frieze of a centre table?

Most antique centre tables sit slightly lower than standard dining furniture. The deep frieze that runs around the edge usually blocks high chair arms from sliding underneath. They work better with low-backed nursing chairs or stools pulled up beside them. Measure the clearance from the floor to the bottom edge if you plan to use it for dining.

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Antique Centre Tables from the 19th Century

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Designed to stand freely in the middle of a room rather than against a wall, an antique centre table features finished wood on all sides and a prominent base intended to draw the eye from every angle.