Can I wash the plates?

Solid ceramic single-tier stands wash easily in warm soapy water. Keep them out of modern dishwashers because the harsh chemicals strip away the old glaze. Tiered stands need dismantling first. Unscrew the central metal spindle and wash the plates separately. Never submerge the metal rod or it will rust from the inside out.

How do I tighten a loose folding stand?

Wooden folding frames usually have small brass screws holding the hinges to the legs. Tighten these carefully with a well-fitting manual screwdriver. If the screw turns without gripping, the wood hole has stripped. You can plug the hole with a sliver of wood and some wood glue before driving the screw back in.

I have inherited a tall wooden one but the plates always tilt forwards when I put any weight on them, is there a way to fix the hinges so they stay flat?

The brass hinges holding the wooden plate rings have worn down over years of repeated use. There is a small internal metal stop on the hinge designed to keep the ring level when lowered. When that stop wears away, the ring drops past horizontal and the cakes slide off. A metalworker can sometimes build the stop back up with silver solder to restore the original angle. Alternatively, you can swap the hinges for modern replacements.

The silver plating is rubbing off the top of my pedestal stand and I can see a dull brownish metal underneath, should I get it replated or leave it as it is?

That brown metal is copper base metal showing through. It happens naturally from decades of cleaning and serving. Most people leave it alone. Replating is an option, but it alters the original character.

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Antique Cake Stands

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Designed to present baked goods during afternoon tea, an antique cake stand features either a single elevated plateau or multiple tiered plates, keeping the table clear while keeping the scones in easy reach.