What is a tier table used for?

Tier tables provided versatile surface space for holding lamps, books, and decorative objects in nineteenth-century sitting rooms. The multiple levels allowed owners to display small porcelain figures or silver items without cluttering the main surface.

How do I identify a French tier table?

French examples are typically identified by their use of ormolu mounts, serpentine edges, and marquetry inlays. Cabinetmakers of this origin favoured exotic timbers like kingwood and plum pudding mahogany. The inclusion of inset marble tops and slender cabriole or tapered legs further points toward Continental design traditions.

How many tiers do these tables have?

Most of the examples recorded here feature either two or three distinct display levels. The upper tiers are supported by slender columns or brass uprights. This tiered construction maximises vertical display space while maintaining a relatively small floor footprint.

Where should I place a tier table?

These tables work well as freestanding centre pieces or positioned beside seating in a drawing room. Their decorated surfaces and finished backs allow them to be viewed from all angles. Avoid placing them in areas of direct sunlight or high moisture to protect the polished wood veneers and ormolu mounts.