How to fix broken webbing on a tray stand?

Replacing the webbing is a standard repair. You just need to remove the old tacks and attach fresh fabric strips of the same length. Upholsterers sell traditional cotton webbing that matches the original material. Fold the ends over before tacking to prevent the fabric from fraying under tension.

I have a tray with sides that fold down flat but one of the brass hinges is stuck fast and won't budge. Should I try forcing it or oiling it?

Never force a seized brass hinge. The metal is soft and you risk tearing the screws straight out of the mahogany carcase. Apply a few drops of penetrating oil to the hinge pin and leave it to sit. If the joint remains stuck after a few days, a furniture restorer can safely clean the mechanism.

Clean water marks off mahogany tray?

Light white rings sit within the surface polish. Gently apply wax with superfine wire wool. Dark rings indicate water penetrated the wood fibres. These require stripping.

My stand wobbles a lot when I put the tray on top, and it seems like the central wooden crossbar part is loose where the legs pivot. Is this normal wear?

A slight flex is normal for folding X-frame stands. The design relies on the weight of a loaded antique butlers tray to push the legs outwards against the webbing. Severe wobbling usually points to a worn central pivot dowel. A loose pivot requires a basic workshop repair to tighten the joint.

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Antique Butlers Trays from the 19th Century

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Designed for moving glass and tableware between the kitchen and dining room, an antique butlers tray is a portable wooden platter with a raised gallery and cut-out handles, usually resting on a folding X-frame stand.