Can I use normal spray cleaner on the stone?

Standard household sprays often contain acids or bleach. These eat into the polished surface and leave dull, etched marks behind. Stick to warm water and a mild dish soap instead. Wipe the surface dry with a soft cloth to stop water spots forming.

My grandmother left me one of these and the top wobbles a bit when you push it, is there a way to fix that easily?

The wobble usually comes from the base rather than the stone itself. Look closely at the joints where the legs meet the frieze underneath. Over the years, the glue dries out and the heavy top forces the joints loose. A furniture restorer can knock the frame apart, clean the old glue, and cramp it back together. If the stone is just rocking on a solid base, check the dowel pins. Sometimes adding a thin leather shim under one corner of the slab levels it out.

How heavy are the cast iron bistro ones?

They require two people to lift safely. The iron base alone often weighs more than the stone slab on top. This weight was intentional. They sat outside on uneven pavements and needed to withstand high winds and customers leaning on them.

I want to use an antique marble top washstand as a bathroom vanity, but I'm worried about cutting holes for the modern sink plumbing.

Cutting antique stone is risky. Old slabs often contain hidden fissures that crack open when a modern drill bit hits them. Look for pieces that already have a splashback or pre-cut bowl holes from their original washstand days. You can often adapt these existing gaps for modern pipes without touching the main flat surface.

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Antique Marble Top Tables from the 19th Century

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Antique marble top tables combine a solid stone slab with a timber or metal base, designed originally to provide a waterproof surface for serving drinks or holding heavy parlour lamps.