How tall should a wine table be?

Most eighteenth-century examples stand between twenty-six and twenty-nine inches high. This was the practical height for someone reaching across from a low wingback chair. Victorian pieces are sometimes slightly lower. If the table sits much higher than thirty inches, it might have been built as a lamp stand rather than for drinks.

I have a small space next to my sofa and I am wondering if one of these is heavy to move around when I need to vacuum?

Portability was the whole point of the design. Servants carried them up and down stairs daily, so makers kept the weight down by using slender columns and thin tops. You'll find that a standard mahogany tripod table is easily lifted with one hand. Solid oak versions carry a bit more weight but are still manageable in a domestic setting.

Do they all have tilt tops?

No. Many fixed-top versions were produced alongside the tipping ones. The tilt mechanism was an extra expense. Provincial makers often bolted the top directly to the column for a cheaper, simpler piece.

We tend to put hot coffee mugs down without thinking, so would a polished antique table surface just get ruined straight away in our house?

Heat and shellac polish do not mix well. A hot mug will turn the traditional finish cloudy white quickly, leaving a lasting mark on the timber. Using a thick coaster solves the problem. If you want to use the table casually without worrying, look for one that has already lost its formal polish and wears a dull, waxed patina.