Can the hinges on these be fixed?

Most brass hinges on an antique metamorphic table can be repaired by a skilled restorer. The screws are often slotted and can be carefully backed out with the right tool. If the metal is torn, a specialist will silver-solder the brass rather than replacing the whole unit. Keeping original hardware functioning is always the priority.

My grandfather left us one of these step tables but the top seems to stick halfway when we try to fold it back down.

Sticking usually points to an issue with the internal struts or the wooden runners shifting slightly out of alignment. Timber shrinks and swells over the decades depending on the dampness of the room. Never force the mechanism closed. Have a close look at the sliding channels to see if a loose screw or a build-up of old wax is blocking the path. A light application of beeswax on the friction points often gets things moving smoothly again.

What goes on the bare steps?

Bare wooden treads were often originally left plain, though some makers fitted them with inset leather or carpet sections. Adding a sympathetic leather insert now is an accepted practice if the bare wood proves too slippery for regular use.

I have noticed some of these tables have little wheels on the bottom while others just have plain wooden feet, why the difference?

Castors appear frequently on heavier mechanical furniture. Turning a desk into a ladder requires pulling the piece away from the wall, and brass castors make that job much easier on a carpeted library floor. Smaller side tables sometimes omit castors because their overall weight is manageable. Regional cabinet makers also tailored the feet to whatever the original client requested for their specific room.

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Antique Metamorphic Tables

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Designed to save space and serve multiple functions, an antique metamorphic table appears as a standard desk or side table until hidden mechanisms deploy to reveal library steps, a games board, or a reading stand.