How do I use a drop flap table daily?

Raise the hinged leaves and swing out the supporting gate legs to create a full dining or work surface. Drop the flaps down again when you need to save floor space in smaller rooms. Ensure items placed on the extended flaps remain within reasonable weight limits to protect the original hinges and pivoting legs.

What periods do these tables come from?

The selection includes authentic seventeenth-century and eighteenth-century examples alongside later nineteenth-century pieces and twentieth-century revivals. Noughts and crosses or specific turning styles like bobbin and barley twist often point towards seventeenth-century origins or later Jacobean revival periods.

Are these tables suitable for modern dining?

Many large gateleg and wake tables provide ample seating for six people, making them practical for contemporary dining rooms and kitchens. Their folding design also allows you to adjust the table size to suit the number of guests dining at any time.

How do I care for antique oak surfaces?

Dust the timber regularly with a soft, dry cloth and apply a quality beeswax periodically to nourish the wood and maintain its patina. Avoid placing tables near direct heat sources or damp areas to prevent the oak from warping. Use protective mats under hot dishes and drinks to safeguard the historic polished surface from rings and marks.